SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (Interstat) — UC Santa Barbara defeated UC Riverside 1-0 in a Big West contest Thursday afternoon at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium.

Jackson Flora pitched a complete-game shutout, allowing two hits and striking out 12 over nine innings without an earned run. The Gauchos improved to 35-16 while the Highlanders dropped to 15-32.

The game’s only run came in the bottom of the third inning when Nate Vargas homered, driving in himself. He finished 2 for 4 with the solo shot and an RBI.

UC Santa Barbara recorded three hits and executed two sacrifice hits. UC Riverside managed two hits, including a single from Jarren Sanderson, who went 1 for 3.

Joshua Torres took the loss for the Highlanders, pitching eight innings with no hits allowed but one earned run and two strikeouts. Rowan Kelly went 1 for 2 for the Gauchos.

The series continues with games Friday and Saturday.