Ivan Brethowr’s bases-loaded, walk-off single gave UCSB a 5-4 win over Cal State Bakersfield on Sunday to complete a sweep of the Big West-opening series and extend the Gauchos’ winning streak to 10 games.
It is the program’s longest win streak since 2019, when UCSB won 13 straight from the end of April to mid-May.
The Gauchos improved to 15-3 overall with the three-game sweep at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium. Cal State Bakersfield fell to 7-11.
Josh Williams reached base on an error by the first baseman to start the ninth inning for UCSB. LeTrey McCollum followed with a walk and pinch-hitter John Newman Jr. executed a perfect bunt that hugged the third-base line for a single.
That brought up Brethowr, who took three pitches before dropping a single into right field for the game-winning run.
Sam Whiting, the fourth Gaucho pitcher, picked up the win. He relieved Hudson Barrett with one out and one on in the ninth.
Whiting walked the first batter he faced to give the Roadrunners two baserunners before ending the scoring threat by inducing a fly ball and a groundout to keep the score tied at 4-4.
Bakersfield jumped on UCSB starter Reed Moring for three runs in the first inning on a three-run homer by James Bell.
The Gauchos responded with a run in the bottom of the first as Broc Mortensen singled to score Zander Darby.
UCSB tied the score in the third on solo homers by Darby and Mortensen off Roadrunners’ starter Jeter Scheurman.
Bakersfield reclaimed the lead in the fifth against Gaucho reliever Tyler Bremner. A throwing error by Darby allowed Kyler Stancato to reach first and a Bremner error on a pickoff attempt moved him to second. With two outs, Bremner induced Matt Kurata to hit ground ball to second but Kurata beat Jonah Sebring’s throw to first. Stancato alertly dashed home to give Bakersfield a 4-3 lead.
Bremner got out of the inning and struck out the side in the top of the sixth.
The Gauchos tied the score as Sebring led off the bottom of the sixth with a single to left center, stole second and took third as the catcher’s throw sailed into center field. He scored the tying run on a sacrifice fly to center by Williams.
Barrett entered in the seventh and pitched out of bases-loaded jam. He worked a perfect eighth with a pair of strikeouts, but got into trouble in the ninth. He hit a batter and that baserunner stole second base.
Whiting came in and walked the first batter he faced before getting the next two outs.
Parker and Mortensen each had two hits for the Gauchos and Mortensen had two RBIs.
Bell and two hits and three RBIs and Kurata had a pair of hits for Bakersfield.
The Gauchos will be back in Big West action at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium this weekend as they will host a three-game series against the CSUN Matadors, March 24-26.
First-pitch times are set for 5:05 p.m. on Friday, 4:05 p.m. on Saturday, and 1:05 p.m. on Sunday. All season, kids ages 12 and under will receive free admission to Saturday and Sunday home games.