NORTHRIDGE — The UCSB softball team’s season ended Saturday in extra innings, when CS Northridge’s Kaylee Escutia hit a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the eighth inning to win 9-5.
The Gauchos scored their runs in the first two innings to take a 5-1 lead. Leading off the game in the top of the first, Madelyn McNally singled to center field. Sam Denehy then laid down a bunt, and her speed rattled the CSUN defense — an led to a two-base error, and scored McNally. With Denehy on third, Ashley Donaldson lifted a sac fly to left field, scoring a second run.
The Matadors scored in the bottom of the first, but UCSB widened the lead in the second. Jazzy Santos got aboard after being hit by a pitch. A sac bunt from Hannah Damore moved Santos to second, and then Makayla Newsom doubled to left center to score Santos. McNally followed that with a single to left-center to score Newsom. The Gauchos led 5-1.
The Matadors got a run back in the first to cut into the Gaucho lead, but it wouldn’t take long for Santa Barbara to extend their lead. In the second Jazzy Santos got aboard after being hit by a pitch. Hannah Damore’s sac bunt moved Santos into scoring position and freshman Makayla Newsom delivered in the ensuing at bat.
Newsom doubled to left-center field and McNally followed that up with a single to left center, driving in Newsom. McNally would then come around to score on a Donaldson single and the Gauchos would lead 5-1 after two innings.
CSUN tied the game up with a four-run third inning, including a two-run home run by Escutia.
The game then became a pitcher’s duel, with no scores for the next four innings. In the bottom of the eighth, the Matadors’ loaded the bases, setting the table for clean-up hitter, Escutia, who hit her slam, giving her six RBI for the game.
The Gauchos finish the season at 26-22 overall, and 13-14 in the Big West. This was their first 20-win season since 2017, and also their first overall winning season since then. UCSB posted 11 more wins than last year.