The Santa Barbara City College Softball team (16-20) beat Cuesta 9-8 on Tuesday at Pershing Park, unbelievably erasing an 8-0 deficit to win the game.

The Vaqueros used a seven-run fourth inning to get back in the game, then took the lead with two in the sixth before closing out the improbable victory.

Obviously, that means that things did not start well for Santa Barbara. After a sacrifice fly in the top of the first, Cuesta scored four more—thanks in part to a two-out three-run homer—to take an early 5-0 lead.

In the fourth, the visitors tacked on three more via another sacrifice fly and two-run homer, now 8-0. The Vaqueros needed to score at least once in the next two innings to avoid being run-ruled.

They would not waste any time, thankfully. Mia Gaitan led off the bottom half of the fourth with a double, then scored on Kaylee Carrillo‘s ensuing single. Gifted an error and a walk, Ruby Bartholomew‘s bases-loaded walk scored a second run. 

Gracie Verdugo then ripped a two-run single, followed by a hit from Anja Perriera. Suddenly, the tying run was at the plate; it was 8-4 Cuesta with one out and the bases loaded.

Sammi Korte‘s sacrifice fly scored the fifth run as the Vaqueros batted around. Gaitan’s second double of the inning scored the final two runs, nearly completing the remarkable comeback already.

Cuesta then went down one-two-three. Despite Bella Cox‘s two-out triple, the Vaqueros still were down 8-7 after five.

In the bottom of the sixth, Verdugo started off the Vaqueros’ half with a single. Korte’s one-out triple then tied the game, while also putting her 60 feet away from scoring the go-ahead run. Gaitan once again came up with a clutch hit—this time, a bunt. Her single scored Korte to make it 9-8 Vaqueros.

Allowing a walk and single in the top of the seventh, Batholomew escaped the jam, shutting the door on one of the most memorable Vaquero Softball wins in recent memory.

Verdugo (three hits, a walk, two RBIs) and Gaitan (three hits, including two doubles, and three RBIs) led the team offensively.

After Cuesta’s two-run homer in the fourth, Bartholomew came on in relief for the final 3.1 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits. She was instrumental to the comeback win.

Aiding the players emotionally with the comeback were some of their fellow student-athletes. The Athletics Department’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) hosted their monthly “Vaq Vibes” at Pershing Park in staunch support of the team.

The Vaqueros travel to Moorpark for their next game on Thursday. They will be back at home on Saturday for a non-conference doubleheader against Cabrillo beginning at 11 a.m.