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NCAA regional baseball: Bush’s homer gives UC Santa Barbara win over Washington

UC Santa Barbara’s Devon Gradford, top left, celebrates with teammates after hitting a home run against Washington in the 12th inning to tie the game at 2. (Mark Humphrey / Associated Press)
Associated Press
UC Santa Barbara’s Devon Gradford, top left, celebrates with teammates after hitting a home run against Washington in the 12th inning to tie the game at 2. (Mark Humphrey / Associated Press)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Bush homered to lead off the bottom of the 14th inning Friday as UC Santa Barbara edged Washington 3-2 to open the NCAA Regional.

Bush belted a 1-1 pitch from Alex Nesbitt (6-3) over the right-field wall to help the Gauchos remain in the winners’ bracket.

UC Santa Barbara (38-18-1) faces the winner of the Vanderbilt-Xavier game, which was postponed by weather. Washington (32-22) meets the Vanderbilt-Xavier loser in an elimination game.

Washington took a 2-1 lead when MJ Hubbs drew a bases-loaded, two-out walk from Trevor Bettencourt in the 12th. UC Santa Barbara’s Devon Gradford homered off Greg Minier to lead off the bottom half of the inning.

Washington struck out 17 times and went 0 for 17 with runners in scoring position.

Justin Kelly (2-0) struck out three in 1 1/3 innings of shutout relief.

Washington starter Noah Bremer allowed four hits and one run in nine innings.