Shared Honors
Cal Poly and UC Santa Barbara have been crowned co‑champions of the Big West Conference after finishing the regular season with identical 22‑8 records.
The Mustangs clinched the share by defeating Long Beach State 8‑3, while the Gauchos secured their title with a 5‑3 win over UC Riverside.
Both programs finished the year with a six‑game winning streak and have now claimed 26 of the last 30 conference series, underscoring a period of sustained dominance.
Coach Lee’s Vision
Coach Larry Lee, whose team is seeded second, said the focus remains on preparing for the upcoming tournament rather than celebrating the title.
He emphasized that the team’s offensive strength and resilient pitching have been the foundation of their success throughout the season.
Tournament Outlook
The Big West tournament opens with a play‑in game between Hawai'i and Cal State Fullerton, after which Cal Poly will meet UC San Diego.
Key contributors such as Troy Cooper, who earned the victory in relief, and the error‑free defense featuring Nate Castellon and Alejandro Garza, helped seal the final win.
The Mustangs outhit Long Beach State 14‑11, with Jason Gerfers taking the loss after surrendering seven runs.
Offensive consistency has been the team’s hallmark, as they have won nine of ten Big West series for the second straight year.
Looking ahead, the co‑champions are poised to carry their momentum into the tournament, where a showdown with UC San Diego awaits.