UC Santa Barbara's Marcos Castanon (Aaron Fitt)

UCSB Responds Well To Unexpected Speedbump

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Over the season’s first 10 weeks, UC Santa Barbara experienced remarkably little adversity. The Gauchos did not lose back-to-back games during their 30-5 start to the season, and they won each of their first 10 weekends.

And then UCSB stumbled when it was least expected. On the road against a 13-25 UC Riverside club this weekend, UCSB was soundly beaten Friday (9-4) and Saturday (7-2), absorbing its first series loss, and dealing its regional hosting hopes a setback. So Gauchos coach Andrew Checketts was eager to see how his club would respond Sunday — and the answer[…]