The UC Santa Barbara Softball team broke through after a 4-4 tie in the fifth inning to knock off the Utah Tech Trailblazers 6-5 Friday. Ainsley Waddell’s sixth-inning two-run home run proved to be the difference in the game.
The Gauchos got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the bottom of the first inning. Santa Barbara put up two runs in the frame, highlighted by an RBI triple off the bat of Elicia Acosta.
The Gauchos lost the lead they built in the first but got back on the board in the fifth while they were trailing 4-2. UC Santa Barbara brought home a pair, with one run driven in by senior Ashley Donaldson’s single, which brought the score level to 4-4.
That 4-4 tie turned into a 6-4 Gaucho lead in the sixth. The Gauchos added two to their tally on Waddell’s two-run homer to center.
Utah Tech put one run on the board in their half of the seventh but could not get any closer as Waddell left the tying run stranded after striking out the Trailblazer batter to end the game.
Freshman Ainsley Waddell got the win for the Gauchos. The southpaw went seven innings, giving up five runs, on seven hits, allowing one walk, and striking out nine.
Waddell also led the way offensively for the Gauchos, going 1-for-4 in the ballgame with a home run and two RBI.
Junior Elicia Acosta compiled a noteworthy performance as well, going 2-for-4 with a triple and an RBI. Junior Alexa Sams also contributed, going 2-for-3 for UC Santa Barbara with two RBI.
The Gauchos are back in action tomorrow, Saturday, March 9. UC Santa Barbara will play at 11:30 a.m. against Lehigh and then again at 2 p.m. against Utah Tech.
For those unable to make it in person the 11:30 a.m. game will be streamed through ESPN+ while both games will have live stats available.