UCSB capitalized on an overtimed call, as Bryce Willits singled in Jordan Sprinkle with two outs in the seventh inning for a 3-2 Big West victory over Long Beach State on Saturday at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium.
The Gauchos go for the series sweep on Sunday at 1 p.m.
With the score tied at 2-2 and Blake Klassen at the plate, Sprinkle attempted to steal second. Long Beach State catcher Chris Jimenez made a good throw and Sprinkle was called out, ending the inning.
UCSB coach Andrew Checketts protested the call and called for a replay. The umpires overturned their call and Sprinkle returned to second base.
Klassen reached base on an error and Sprinkle advanced to third. Willits followed with a single for the eventual game-winning run.
Michael Rice picked up his sixth pitching win. He relieved starter Mike Gutierrez in the seventh. Gutierrez allowed two runs on two hits and stuck out six.
Rice threw two innings and Ryan Harvey pitched the ninth to earn his conference-leading 10th save.
John Newman Jr. and Klassen hit solo homers to right-center field to give UCSB a 2-0 lead in the third inning. Klassen’s blast was his first as a collegiate player
Long Beach State tied the score in the seventh.
UCSB improves to 26-9 overall and 15-2 in the Big West.