Gauchos Upset No. 14 USC 5-1, Extend Win Streak to Four Games

The UC Santa Barbara baseball team has found its groove at the right time.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 3:07pm

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The UC Santa Barbara baseball team defeated No. 14-ranked USC, 5-1, on Tuesday at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium. The signature non-conference victory is the program's highest-ranked win since defeating No. 1 UCLA in March 2020. Catcher Nate Vargas led the Gauchos' offense, going 3-for-4 at the plate and hitting a home run in the bottom of the third inning. The Gauchos' pitching staff limited the Trojans to one unearned run, with five pitchers combining for the win. The Gauchos have now won four straight games and will host first-place UC San Diego for a three-game series this weekend with major Big West Conference implications.

Why it matters

The Gauchos' upset victory over the highly-ranked Trojans is a significant accomplishment for the program and could provide momentum as they enter a crucial conference series against UC San Diego. The win extends the Gauchos' winning streak to four games, showcasing their ability to excel in all facets of the game at the right time of the season.

The details

The Gauchos' offense was led by catcher Nate Vargas, who went 3-for-4 at the plate and hit a solo home run in the bottom of the third inning to open the scoring. The Gauchos tacked on another run in the inning when Nick Husofsky drove in Ryan Severns with a groundout, increasing the lead to 2-0. The Gauchos extended their advantage with single runs in the fourth, sixth, and eighth innings, with Vargas doubling off the left-field wall and later scoring on an RBI single by Liam Barrett in the eighth. The Gauchos' pitching staff limited the Trojans to one unearned run, with five pitchers - Calvin Proskey, AJ Krodel, Van Froling, Raymond Olivas, and Cole Tryba - combining for the win.

  • The Gauchos defeated No. 14-ranked USC on Tuesday, April 8, 2026, at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium.
  • The Gauchos' victory over the Trojans is their highest-ranked win since defeating No. 1 UCLA in March 2020.

The players

Nate Vargas

The Gauchos' catcher, who went 3-for-4 at the plate and hit a solo home run in the bottom of the third inning to open the scoring.

Nick Husofsky

The Gauchos' player who drove in Ryan Severns with a groundout in the third inning, increasing the Gauchos' lead to 2-0.

Calvin Proskey

The Gauchos' pitcher who served as the opener and retired the Trojans in order, marking his return from injury.

Andrew Checketts

The Gauchos' head coach, who praised the team's pitching and offense in the win.

Cole Tryba

The Gauchos' pitcher who came on in the bottom of the eighth inning with one out and two runners on, and went on to record the final five outs of the game.

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What they’re saying

“We've been playing better, for sure. The pitching has been consistent the last four games. We've done a good job being in the zone, and the guys are really throwing the ball well.”

— Andrew Checketts, UCSB head coach

“I'm just happy to be out there and compete with my guys. I'm glad that we were able to get a good win against a ranked team today. During my time off, I made sure to stay ready so when I did get an opportunity like today, I made the most of it.”

— Nate Vargas, Gauchos catcher

“That just felt like vintage me. That's just what I do. I don't want to get too excited because I expect this of myself, but I also want to congratulate myself for putting in the work and seeing it pay off.”

— Nate Vargas, Gauchos catcher

What’s next

The Gauchos will host first-place UC San Diego for a three-game series this weekend with major Big West Conference implications.

The takeaway

The Gauchos' upset victory over the highly-ranked Trojans showcases their ability to excel in all facets of the game at the right time of the season, and could provide valuable momentum as they enter a crucial conference series against UC San Diego with major implications for the Big West standings.