SAN DIEGO, CA--- The California Baptist baseball program closed out the Tony Gwynn Tournament on Sunday afternoon, falling to #21 UC Santa Barbara 6-3 in a competitive dual. CBU falls to 4-4 on the season, while UCSB improves their hot start to the year 6-1.

Left-handed pitcher Cody New took the mound on Sunday and opened strong against the ranked squad. The Gauchos would put two on the sophomore pitcher after a home run with a runner on was hit over the left field wall, but New would ultimately finish strong after going four innings with no more runs given up. CBU cut the Gaucho's lead in half during the top of the fourth after Bubba Rocha came home via a sacrifice fly from Julian Alvarez.

UCSB responded with a three-run bomb in the bottom of the fifth to extend their lead to five, but CBU retaliated with more small ball in the top of the sixth to plate a pair. The ranked squad would insure their win in the bottom of the sixth with a single home run to push their lead to 6-3, securing the sixth win of the young season.

CBU's pitching staff had a solid day on the mound despite the loss, striking out nine. Connor Ross, Matt Chavez, and Alvarez were the power behind the Lancer's offense on Sunday, each picking up an RBI.

California Baptist will return to Totman Stadium on Friday for a doubleheader against Utah and UC Riverside, beginning at 2 p.m.