Broc Mortensen hit his 41st career home run as part of a four-run eighth inning Tuesday night, but UC Santa Barbara’s late rally was not enough it fell to California Baptist, 6-4, in a non-conference game in Riverside.
Mortensen is now one away from tying UCSB’s career home run record of 42, set by Matt Wilkerson from 2002-2005.
The Gauchos (28-13) fell behind 4-0 in the first inning. The Lancers added runs in the second and third for 6-0 lead, knocking starter Michael Rice from the game.
The bullpen pitched well. Alex Schrier pitched 3.1 scoreless innings, then Reed Moring relieved him and went 2.2 scoreless, allowing just one hit. Moring worked out of a couple tough spots too, leaving the bases loaded in the sixth, then stranding Lancers on third in both the seventh and eighth innings.
The CBU pitching staff shut down UCSB’s bats.
UCSB finally broke through in the eighth. Jared Sundstrom led with a single to left and Mortensen followed him with a home run to left center, his 10th homer of the season.
Aaron Parker kept the rally going with a single, then took second base on a wild pitch. Jonah Sebring‘s hit to right center brought home Parker, and Sebring’s hustle earned him a double on the play. After a couple fly outs, the Gauchos scored again, with Ivan Brethowr‘s single to left moving Sebring to third and LeTrey McCollum‘s base hit to right driving Sebring home to make it 6-4 Lancers.
After a two-out walk loaded the bases for Santa Barbara, CBU finally shut down the rally, getting out of the eighth, then setting the Gauchos down in order in the ninth.