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IRVINE, Calif. -- No. 1 UC Santa Barbara (38-16) secured a 7–4 victory over No. 5 Cal State Fullerton (24-31) in game two of the 2026 Big West Baseball Championship at Cicerone Field at Anteater Ballpark. The Gauchos built an early lead with six runs over the first two innings and never looked back. UCSB starting pitcher Jackson Flora improved to 11-0, delivering seven strong innings with nine strikeouts, giving up three hits and two walks for one run.

Gaucho catcher Nate Vargas went 2-for-3 with two walks, two runs and three RBI, including a home run and double. Outfielder Rowan Kelly drove in two runs.

Second baseman Cameron Kim showcased the offensive capabilities for Cal State Fullerton with three RBI and two runs scored. Right fielder Nick Miller went 2-for-5 with one run. Relief pitcher Bobby Mahoney threw four innings of shutout ball for the Titans.

UC Santa Barbara scored three runs apiece in the bottom of the first and second innings. In the first inning, a hit by Vargas brought home the first run and Kelly drove in the other two. In the second frame, left fielder Liam Barrett plated one run, and Vargas hit a two-run homer for a 6-0 lead.

Cal State Fullerton scored its first run of the game in the top of the seventh inning on an RBI single from Max Ortega. A Jonathan Mendez RBI in the bottom of the inning gave the Gauchos back their six-run lead.

The Titans made it three-run game with a three-run home run from Kim.

In the ninth inning, Cal State Fullerton had two runners on, with one out, and the game-tying runner at the plate. A pop up and strikeout ended ended the Titans’ chances.

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