March 21, 2008

Box Score

Santa Barbara, CA - Junior starting pitcher Brian Justice (2-0) pitched a gem going seven strong innings, giving up four hits, one earned run, no walks, while striking out four, as the Gaels (13-5-1) defeated host UC Santa Barbara (12-7) 9-3.

Justice received plenty of run support, specifically in the top of the ninth, when the Gaels put up four runs to put the game out of reach for the Gauchos. Sophomore third baseman Scott Schneider hit a bases loaded double, down the left field line, scoring junior Joel Staples, and sophomores Anthony Aliotti and Kyle Jensen.

On the mound for UCSB was their staff ace, sophomore Mike Ford (2-2) who managed five innings, surrendering eight hits, four earned runs, five walks and four strike outs.

Offensively, the Gaels managed to put together three big innings scoring twice in the top of the third and sixth and four in the top of the ninth. Jensen got back to his power hitting ways, hitting his team leading sixth homerun in the top of the seventh. On the day Jensen was 3-for-4 with two runs scored, and two runs knocked in.

The Gaels received another quality relief pitching effort from sophomore Jimmy Munill, as he went two innings, surrendering three hits, one earned run, and a strike out.

Senior Kenny Fuglerud continues to be a strong presence at the bottom of the line-up, going 3-for-5, bringing his average up to .351. Fuglerud also scored a run and stole his fifth bag of the season.

The Gaels and Gauchos pick up the series in a double header tomorrow with the first game scheduled to start at 11:00 AM.