UC Santa Barbara’s run in the Big West Softball Tournament came to an end in the championship game on Saturday with a 1-0 loss against top-seeded Cal State Fullerton.
Leanna Garcia held the Gauchos to two hits and three walks in a complete-game performance that gave the Titans the automatic NCAA Tournament berth.
Malaya Johnson was the tough-luck loser for the Gauchos. She allowed five hits and an unearned run that was scored in the third inning.
UCSB threatened in the seventh. With two outs, Delaina Ma’ae singled up the middle. That brought up Ainsley Waddell, who had hit three home runs in the tournament. Waddell got a pitch up in the strike zone and hit it to deep left-center field. But the ball stayed in the park and the Fullerton outfielder made the catch to end the game.
The Gauchos’ season ends with an overall record of 31-26, their second consecutive 30-win season. The last time that happened was in 2014-15.
