Cole Kosciusko starred for UC Santa Barbara, hitting four times in his NCAA Tournament debut, leading the Gauchos to a 9-5 victory over Tarleton State. Highlighted by a home run, his performance, alongside Nathan Aceves’ solid pitching and Rowan Kelly’s four RBIs, secured UCSB's spot in the regional final. This win marks the Gauchos' third regional final appearance in four tournaments, with a showdown against Texas set for Sunday evening.

By the Numbers
  • Cole Kosciusko had four hits, including one home run.
  • Rowan Kelly drove in four runs, contributing significantly to the team's score.
State of Play
  • UCSB showed resilience, bouncing back after a previous loss to Tarleton State.
  • Kosciusko's performance and strategic plays paved the way for a solid team effort.
  • The Gauchos will face No. 6 national seed Texas in the regional final.
What's Next

The Gauchos aim to defeat Texas in the regional final to force a decisive game seven if necessary. Winning this final is crucial for continuing their championship aspirations.

Bottom Line

UCSB's strong performance, led by Kosciusko and Kelly, sets the stage for a critical matchup against Texas; a victory here could propel them deeper into the tournament, emphasizing the importance of clutch hitting and quality pitching.