Jazzy Santos and Ainsley Waddell had themselves a day at the plate helping the UC Santa Barbara Softball team to a 2-0 day against the UC Davis Aggies.
Game 1: UCSB 8, UC Davis 2
Trailing 1-0, the Gauchos put runs on the board in the second inning. UC Santa Barbara’s offense started clicking and put up four runs.
Ainsley Waddell doubled in Alexa Sams before Emily Carr doubled in Waddell. An Erin Mendoza single pushed the third run across and Jazzy Santos completed the four-run inning with a single of her own.
The Gauchos then held the Aggies scoreless before getting back on the board the very next inning. Santa Barbara managed to push across two runs in the inning, which brought the Gauchos lead to 6-1.
UC Davis narrowed the Gauchos lead to 6-2, but the Gauchos stretched the advantage to 7-2 in the fifth inning. UC Santa Barbara recorded a run on Jazzy Santos’ two-out solo home run off sophomore Caroline Grimes.
The Gauchos kept the Aggies without a run before expanding their lead in the seventh inning. Senior Madelyn McNally crossed home plate with the lone run of the inning for the Gauchos, bringing the score to 8-2.
The score remained 8-2 for the rest of the game, as the Gauchos coasted to the win.
Senior Camryn Snyder got the win for UC Santa Barbara. The right-hander went seven innings, giving up two runs, on eight hits, while striking out three.
In addition to her three hits, sophomore Jazzy Santos had a home run and two RBI to lead the Gauchos, along with Sams’ three base knocks. Waddell also chipped in for the Gauchos, putting together three hits in four trips to the plate while adding a double and an RBI.
Game 2: UCSB 8, UC Davis 5
The Gauchos got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the top of the first inning. Jazzy Santos put UC Santa Barbara on the board with a one-out solo home run off senior Kenedi Brown.
The Aggies then rallied to score three runs and take a 3-1 lead before the Gauchos got back on the board in the fourth. Santa Barbara picked up two runs, including one on a solo homer off the bat of Ashley Donaldson, which brought the score level at 3-3.
That 3-3 tie turned into a 5-3 Santa Barbara lead in the fifth. The Gauchos scored two runs when a single from junior Alexa Sams scored senior Madelyn McNally and Jazzy Santos.
The Aggies then tied the game at five before the Gauchos fought back to reclaim their advantage in the sixth inning. Freshman Chloe Stewart crossed home plate with the lone run of the inning for the Gauchos, bringing the score to 6-5.
The Gauchos held UC Davis scoreless before building on their lead to 8-5 the following inning. UC Santa Barbara picked up two runs when a single from Waddell scored Santos and Donaldson.
The score remained 8-5 for the rest of the game, as the Gauchos held on for the win.
Sophomore Malaya Johnson started in the circle and picked up the win for the Gauchos. The right-hander went seven innings, giving up five runs, on nine hits, and struck out three.
Offensively, the Gauchos were paced again by sophomore Jazzy Santos, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a home run, a walk and an RBI. Senior Ashley Donaldson put together a noteworthy day at the plate as well, going 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI.
Freshman Ainsley Waddell also contributed for UC Santa Barbara, putting together one hit in three trips to the plate while adding a walk and two RBI.
The Gauchos and Aggies will conclude their series tomorrow, April 27 at noon.