Feb. 8, 2004
San Diego - Three UC Santa Barbara pitchers held the San Diego State to three hits as the Gauchos defeated the Aztecs, 2-0, Sunday afternoon at Tony Gwynn Stadium. In the process, UCSB took the rubber game of the series and improved to 2-1 on the season. The loss dropped SDSU to 5-6 as it prepares for three straight weekends away from home.
Despite allowing just one run and recording a career-best nine strikeouts over seven innings, Aztec senior right-hander Chris Hartshorn (2-1) took the loss. He gave up the Gauchos' opening run in the first inning on three hits including an RBI single by second baseman Chris Malec. From that point on, he allowed just one hit over the next six frames as no UCSB runner advanced as far as second base,
The visitors got the insurance run they were seeking in their half of the seventh off reliever Ben Coon. Gaucho centerfielder Brian Adams opened the frame with a double and scored two batters later on single by third baseman Nate Sutton.
Meanwhile, Santa Barbara starting pitcher Michael Martin (1-0) was highly effective in holding the Aztecs to three hits in his seven innings of work. Two of SDSU's three singles in the game were recorded by freshman Brock Ungricht, who has now hit safely in every game in which he has appeared this season, a string of 10 consecutive contests.
The Gaucho pitching trio of Martin, Nate Holguin and Aaron Jones held the Aztecs to one hit over the final seven innings. Jones, who retired the side in order in the ninth, picked up his first save of the year.
San Diego State begins three consecutive weekend road trips when it travels to northern California next weekend for a three games against Santa Clara. The series gets underway on Friday (Feb. 12) at 6:00 p.m. at the Broncos' Buck Shaw Stadium.
UC Santa Barbara 2, San Diego State 0UCSB 100 000 010 - 2 8 0SDSU 000 000 000 - 0 3 0Martin, Holguin (8), Jones (9) and VogtHartshorn, Coon (8), Schroyer (8) and SwaydanW - Martin (1-0)L - Hartshorn (2-1)Sv - Jones (1)HR - NoneAtt. - 683Time - 2:20