Flora and Hoover ground Pilots as UCSB wins home opener
Mike Klan
UC SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Gauchos ace pitcher Jackson Flora allowed just one run in five innings of work and reliever Chase Hoover dominated in a four-inning save as UCSB won their home opener 4-1 over Portland.
Flora gave up a solo home run to the Cole Katayama-Stall to lead off the third inning but he was able to work around trouble in the second and third innings.
The junior struck out six batters to improve to 2-0 on the year.
San Marcos High School alum Chasee Hoover pitched 4 scoreless innings out of the bullpen allowing just 2 hits while striking out 5 batters to earn his second save on the young season.
As for the offense Rowan Kelley had two hits, knocked in a run and scored a run.
Ball State graduate transfer Nick Husovosky hit his third home run on the year, a solo shot to left to give the Gauchos a 4-1 lead.
UCSB is 2-2 on the season and will host the Pilots on Saturday at 3:05 p.m. and on Sunday at 12:05 p.m.