The UCSB softball team sent a message Saturday that it’s a Big West title contender.
The Gauchos remained tied for first place in the conference after splitting a doubleheader with co-leader Long Beach State at Campus Diamond.
Camryn Snyder pitched a solid game and Ashley Donaldson hit a home run to lead UCSB to a 6-3 win in the opener.
The Beach won the nightcap as Shannon Haddad allowed only two hits in a 5-0 victory.
The teams are 10-4 in the Big West going into Sunday’s single-game finale. The Gauchos are 23-12 overall.
First Game
A tight ballgame through the first three innings of play saw Long Beach State have the upper hand early pushing two runs across and taking a 2-1 lead through three innings.
After holding Beach scoreless in the fourth UC Santa Barbara plated three runs to take a 4-2 lead in the fourth. The first three batters of the inning for the Gauchos reached base safely. Lucy Mogan singled, followed by a Korie Thomas triple. Unfortunately, Mogan was thrown out at home plate. That did not stop the offense as Sam Denehy delivered a single to tie the game at two runs apiece.
After a flyout, Ashley Donaldson homered to right field to give UC Santa Barbara the lead and all the momentum. Both teams were held scoreless in the fifth before Long Beach scored in the sixth to cut into the Gaucho lead.
UC Santa Barbara responded with two runs of their own off an Alexa Sams double and a throwing error brought pinch runner, Makayla Newsom home.
Camryn Snyder pitched a gem in the win. The junior threw a complete game, scattering eight hits, and allowing, three runs, while striking out three.
Second Game
Madelyn McNally had both Gaucho hits off Beach starter Shannon Haddad.
Haddad had the Gauchos guessing all afternoon as she threw a complete-game shutout.
Lilyanna Martinez hit an RBI single to put the Beach in front 1-0 in the second inning.
They added two more runs in the fifth, as Martinez picked up her second hit of the game and Sara Olson smashed a two-run home run to center field. Two more runs were scored in the seventh.
A lead-off double in the bottom half of the seventh gave the Gauchos some life, but that was all they could produce as Haddad put down the next three hitters.