CSUN Rallies Late but Late Homer Lifts UCSB to Win

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.---CSUN Baseball rallied from as many as seven runs down to take a late lead on No. 16 UC Santa Barbara, but a walk-off homer in the ninth spoiled the comeback in a 10-9 loss on Sunday at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium. Kyle Panganiban hit a game-tying three-run homer in the eighth and finished with four RBI while Roberto Gonzalez added three hits and two RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED
After breaking the hearts of CSUN in each of the first two games of the series, the Gauchos would cruise in the early innings and build a seven-run lead through four frames. Jack Holman gave UCSB the lead in the first with an RBI single while two more scored in the third via a home run from Isaac Kim. The Gauchos extended to a 7-0 lead in the fourth with Kim and Nate Vargas driving in two runs apiece.

CSUN was held to a pair of hits through four innings before finally breaking through in the top of the fifth. Panganiban got the Matadors on the scoreboard with an RBI double before Angel Cortez doubled in another run and Gonzalez delivered a two-out RBI single making it a 7-3 game.

The Gauchos got a run back in the bottom of the fifth and appeared to be in control ahead 8-3 going to the eighth. However, the Matadors put together one one of their best offensive innings of the season with nine coming to the plate. CSUN loaded the bases with one out before Colton Boardman reached on an error at first base. With the score at 8-5, Panganiban came to the plate and smacked a 1-1 pitch well over the left-field wall for a three-run homer to tie the game at 8-8.

The Matadors were not done though as Cortez kept the eighth inning alive with a single and pinch runner Royce Clayton, Jr. came round to score on a clutch RBI single from Gonzalez to give CSUN its first lead at 9-8.

The Matador bullpen held the Gauchos to just a run over 4.1 innings as Hayden Hall pitched a scoreless bottom of the eighth.

UCSB though has one rally left. After winning in walk-off fashion on Friday and scoring eight runs over the last three innings in a comeback win on Saturday, the Gauchos needed just three pitches to walk off on Sunday. Jeremiah Crain doubled to start the ninth then LeTrey McCollum belted a two-run homer to win the game.

NOTES OF THE GAME

CSUN drops to 2-10 overall and 0-3 in BIg West play while UC Santa Barbara moves to 13-2 overall and 3-0 in league play.
Andrew Becker extended his hit streak to seven games after going 2-for-4 at the plate.
Gonzalez would extend his on-base streak to 11.
Boardman and Cortez finished with two hits each.
Logan Miller and Tyler Mejia each worked shutout innings in relief for CSUN.

ACCORDING TO COACH EDDIE CORNEJO
"We had three heartbreaking endings to three competitive games. I was proud at how we took it to one of the best pitching staffs in the country. I was proud at the way we kept battling back. I was proud of the resiliency we showed. That's what it's all about. We kept getting up. UCSB had to pull off amazing feats to beat us. That is how I judge this team's performance. We will walk away with confidence and determination to get the next chance"

UP NEXT
CSUN will play a midweek game at LMU next on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

#GoMatadors

CSUN Rallies Late but Late Homer Lifts UCSB to Win

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Team Stats

Roberto Gonzalez

Kyle Panganiban

Andrew Becker

Colton Boardman

Players Mentioned

Andrew Becker

Colton Boardman

Royce Clayton, Jr.

Angel Cortez

Roberto Gonzalez

Hayden Hall

Tyler Mejia

Logan Miller

Kyle Panganiban

Players Mentioned

Andrew Becker

Colton Boardman

Royce Clayton, Jr.

Angel Cortez

Roberto Gonzalez

Hayden Hall

Tyler Mejia

Logan Miller

Kyle Panganiban