No. 25 UC Santa Barbara baseball scored three runs in the top of the ninth Sunday night to force extra innings with host Long Beach State and won the game in the 12th on a three-run homer Christian Kirtley, giving the Gauchos an 8-5 victory at Blair Field.
UCSB is now 26-12 overall and 17-7 in the Big West.
In the 12th, Broc Mortenson was hit by a pitch and Zach Rodriguez singled through the right side, advancing Mortensen to third. Kirtley launched a shot over the left field wall for the game-winning homer. It was Kirtley’s second homer of the game.
Down 5-2 entering in ninth, Kyle Johnson hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Kirtley, who walked and advanced to third. Jason Willow followed with a single, bringing home Bryce Willits. Jordan Sprinkle singled to drive in pinch-runner John Newman Jr. for the tying run.
The Gauchos are back at home next weekend for the Blue-Green Rivalry against Cal Poly.