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AUSTIN, Tex. -- Anchored by a phenomenal pitching performance, Big West regular-season co-champion UC Santa Barbara defeated Holy Cross by a final score of 15-1 in an elimination game in the Austin regional of the 2026 NCAA Baseball Championship, Saturday at Texas’ UFCU Disch-Falk Field.

The Gauchos improve to 38-19 overall and will face the losing team between Texas and Tarleton State in an elimination game, Sunday, May 31 at 10 a.m. PT. The Crusaders, the Patriot League champions, finish their 2026 campaign with a 25-29 overall record.

UC Santa Barbara starting pitcher Jackson Flora improved to a pitching record of 12-0, throwing 7.2 innings of one run ball. The righty allowed one earned run on two hits and two walks while collecting nine strikeouts. Gaucho catcher Nate Vargas had a five-RBI day and scored a run. Third baseman Xavier Esquer went 4-for-5 and amassed three RBI and one run. Center fielder Rowan Kelly hit 3-for-5 with three RBI and two runs and left fielder Liam Barrett compiled two hits, one RBI and two runs.

UC Santa Barbara got the scoring started in the top of the third as Vargas and Corey Nunez each drew bases loaded walks and Esquer hit an RBI single for a 3-0 lead. 

The Crusaders’ lone run of the game came in the fifth inning on a solo homer from Ryan Grundy.

The Gauchos put the game away in the seventh inning, throwing up nine runs on the board. Included in the barrage of scoring in the frame were a grand slam from Vargas and a two-run hit from Rowan Kelly. UCSB secured the win with two runs in the eighth and one in the ninth.

With two outs in the eighth inning, Gaucho reliever Raymond Olivas came in for Flora and got the necessary outs to end the game in just five batters.