May 20, 2008

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Senior Mike Zuanich is having a career season. The clean up hitter has started all 53 games this season while playing in left field. Zuanich had a monster weekend at the plate against UC Riverside, going a combined 9-for-12. In addition to his .750 batting average, the Torrance, Calif., native scored 10 runs, and drove in eight. Zuanich belted his Big West-leading 13th and 14th home runs in the series as well. The powerful right-handed hitter also added his second triple of the year, while walking twice, and recording 10 putouts.

Zuanich's best day at the plate came on Saturday, when the senior went a perfect 4-for-4, with two runs scored, and three RBI. He cracked his 14th home run of the season in the bottom of the first inning, and the Gauchos wouldn't look back from there. Zuanich was a key ingredient to the Gauchos sweep of Big West Conference rival UC Riverside.

On the year, Zuanich is batting .322 with 46 runs scored, seven doubles, two triples, 14 home runs, and 57 RBI. The left fielder's 57 RBI also are tops in the entire conference.

In addition, Zuanich ranks 3rd in sacrifice flies (6), 5th in slugging (.588), 6th in total bases (117), and 10th in walks (23) among all Big West Conference hitters.

Arguably Zuanich's best day at the plate this year came against Westmont on April, 15, as he launched three home runs in a 4-for-6 effort, with four runs scored and six RBI.

The Gauchos finish out the regular season against No. 9 UC Irvine this weekend in Irvine, Calif. The third place Gauchos are in prime position for a post-season bid, but need to take care of their dangerous Southern California rivals. One things for sure, for UCSB to get past the Anteaters, Zuanich will have to continue his unprecedented season.