UCSB players from Turlock, Modesto key in 3-2 win over Washington

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – 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 Tournament’s Nashville Regional.

Bush, a 2014 graduate of Turlock High School, 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 due to 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. Gradford is a 2012 graduate of Modesto’s Downey High School.

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.

This story was originally published June 3, 2016 at 8:25 PM with the headline "UCSB players from Turlock, Modesto key in 3-2 win over Washington."