By Andrew Hartley(andrewhart1ey) – Spear Reporter
Dalton Bowling taking a swing | Titus Wilkinson – The Spear
This season, the Spartans suffered through rain delays, had games cancelled due to rain and even a game postponed due to darkness. After Monday, they can add a fog delay to their list of unique postponements.
With the score currently 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth, the Spartans will resume their game against USCB Tuesday at 12 p.m.
The conditions were never perfect but it wasn’t until a sixth inning fly ball that everyone knew they couldn’t continue.
James Shimashita lifted one out into the right-center field gap for what should have been a routine third out, but he sent the ball into a grey abyss above the Gaucho outfielders.
The ball couldn’t be found due to the heavy Santa Barbara fog.
While the triple would score Hunter Dorraugh for SJSU’s first run of the game, it became clear the conditions were unplayable.
And after a meeting with the umpires, Head Coach Brad Sanfillipo had to deliver the news that there would be a 30-minute fog delay.
A delay that would turn into a postponement.
Shimashita’s hit was only the second of the day as UCSB pitcher JD Callahan shut down an offense averaging 6.8 runs a game.
He no-hit the Spartans for over four innings and tied his career-high with seven strikeouts.
Keaton Chase got his first start of the year and kept the Gauchos to a few runs. But it was the self-inflicated mistakes that hurt them.
Four wild pitches, four walks and an error on a pickoff attempt allowed UCSB to run all through the basepaths.
With fog still in the Santa Barbara forecast Tuesday, the Spartans hope to play the entire 18 intended innings. Coming into Monday, the Spartans won eight of their last 10 and scored 14 runs in their last game.
Again, the game will resume in the bottom of the sixth with a score of 3-1 Gauchos at 12 p.m. 45 minutes after the conclusion of that game, the second game will start. Both games will be available to watch on ESPN+.