Cal Poly is one win away from Big West baseball title after solving UCSB

IRVINE, Calif. (KEYT) - No. 2 seed Cal Poly defeated top-seeded UC Santa Barbara by a final score of 4-2 to advance to the title game of the 2026 Big West Baseball Championship, Friday at Cicerone Field at Anteater Ballpark.

The Mustangs improve to 35-21 overall and will play the winner of game six, Saturday, May 23 at 6 p.m. The Gauchos drop to 38-17 overall and will play an elimination game against the winner of No. 5 seed Cal State Fullerton and No. 3 seed UC San Diego.

Cal Poly's pitching staff struck out 10 batters and limited UC Santa Barbara to six hits for two runs, while the offense tallied 12 hits to take the win. Mustang starter Carson Turnquist threw six innings of two-run ball with seven strikeouts. Closer Nick Bonn earned a 14th save on the season. Designated hitter Cam Hoiland went 4-for-4 with one run. Second baseman and catcher Ryan Tayman each went 2-for-5.
Six different players registered a hit for UC Santa Barbara.

The Gauchos got the scoring started in the bottom of the first inning. With the bases loaded, William Vasseur drew a walk to bring home Corey Nunez.

Cal Poly responded in the top of the second inning on a squeeze play as Dante Vachini laid down a sac bunt to plate Gavin Spiridonoff.
The Gauchos went back on top in the bottom of the fourth inning on an RBI single from Noah Karliner.

The Mustangs tied the game on a sacrifice fly from Xander McLaurin in the top of the sixth inning tied the game and took the lead in the following inning on an RBI hit from Jake Downing. The Mustangs got an insurance run in the eighth inning with a hit from Nate Castellon to account for the final score of the game.

(Article courtesy Big West)