Cal Poly baseball lost game two of a pivotal series against UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) on Friday evening, 5-4.
In a nationally televised game, the Mustangs (27-10, 15-2 Big West) struck first with a run in the first inning, but the Gauchos (25-12, 11-9) had a response every time the Mustangs plated a run.
A series tie so far sets up Saturday’s game as a big one. A series loss could potentially put Cal Poly back in second place in the Big West, depending on UC Irvine’s result against Hawai’i. Cal Poly and Irvine are tied atop the standings, with Hawai’i not too far behind.
Sophomore third baseman Alejandro Garza continued his hot hitting, going 2-5 with three RBI, including his second collegiate home run, which tied the game in the fifth inning.
First basemen Zach Daudet pinch-hit in the top of the ninth, his first plate appearance since March 31 after being sidelined with a serious health concern. Daudet singled in the at-bat and will likely start the finale on Saturday.
Left-hander Josh Volmerding started for the Mustangs and had trouble staying in the strike zone, walking six Gauchos. Volderming was able to keep the Mustangs in the game, however, allowing four earned runs, one of them an inherited runner after his departure.
Lefty Josh Morano, coming off his best outing of the season, added two scoreless innings out of the bullpen. The Arizona transfer has not made many appearances this season but has been effective recently and could see higher leverage spots down the line.
Offensively, the Mustangs had a solid game on paper, totalling 10 hits, but the base knocks were scattered, and a formidable rally was never put together. The tying run was on base in the top of the ninth with a dangerous Jack Collins at the plate, but the junior catcher was unable to tie the ballgame.
Both games in the series thus far have been decided by one run, and not much separation has been created in either contest. With two of the best teams in the country and a lot on the line, tight, low-scoring games are to be expected.
Cal Poly will look to win the series on Sunday before returning to Baggett Stadium for more high-stakes games. First pitch of the final game is at 1 p.m.