UCSB erupted for 20 hits Saturday at CSU-Bakersfield, ending the regular season with its sixth straight victory, 14-6.
The Gauchos finish with a 27-3 record atop the Big West Conference, for a program record .900 win percentage. They are 43-12 overall, and find out Monday morning where they’ll head for the postseason opener.
The game was tied 1-1 in the top of the third inning, when the Gauchos loaded the bases with three straight singles. Then Broc Mortensen cleared the bases with a three-run double. After Zander Darby singled in Mortensen, UCSB led 5-1.
Mortensen, a junior from Ventura, later hit a solo home run during a six-run eighth inning, his 15th of the season, matching last year’s total. He is in line to lead the Big West in homers two straight years.
The eighth inning also included a two-run single by Nick Vogt, who went 4-for-5 on the day with two RBI and two runs scored. Other offensive efforts included Christian Kirtley with two hits, two RBI and two runs, and three hits each for LeTrey McCollum and Bryce Willits, with an RBI each.
Starter Ryan Gallagher, a freshman, improved to 8-0 on the season, going five innings, allowing three runs on six hits. He finished the season with a 3.00 ERA. Four relievers pitched an innings each.