The UC Santa Barbara Softball team bounced back in a big way after being swept by Long Beach State last weekend. The Gauchos earned two wins over CSUN on Saturday afternoon.
Pitching was the story of the afternoon for the Gauchos as they held the Matadors to just three runs, only one being earned over the 12 innings of play.
Game 1: UCSB 4, CSUN 3
In the first game, UC Santa Barbara secured a narrow 4-3 victory. The Gauchos capitalized early, scoring three runs in the first inning. Dani Rauscher drew a walk, followed by Tehya Banks’ single, advancing Rauscher to second.
Emily Carr then doubled down the right field line and advanced to third on a throwing error, bringing in both Rauscher and Banks. Delaina Ma’ae then singled to right field, driving in Carr and giving UC Santa Barbara an early 3-0 lead by the end of the first inning.
Cal State Northridge responded in the fourth inning, scoring three runs to tie the game. Prior to the Matadors three run inning, Sophia Clark had set down the first 10 batters of the game.
After a Matador reached on a fielder’s choice and advanced on an error, a double down the left field line scored two runs. Another single brought home the unearned third run for Cal State Northridge.
However, UC Santa Barbara regained the lead when Bella Fuentes singled, advanced on a fielder’s choice, and scored on Mejia’s groundout, making the score 4-3 by the end of the fourth inning.
The fifth, sixth, and seventh innings were scoreless for both teams, with UC Santa Barbara’s defense holding firm to secure the win.
Clark finished with another stellar pitching line. The freshman pitched seven innings, allowing three runs (one earned), while striking out three.
Game 2: UCSB 9, CSUN 0 (5 INN.)
In the second game, UC Santa Barbara decisively defeated the Matadors with a final score of 9-0. The Gauchos recorded 13 hits, including two home runs, while Malaya Johnson allowed only two hits in a complete-game shutout.
Tehya Banks hit a home run in the first inning, securing an early lead for UC Santa Barbara. The inning concluded with the Gauchos leading 1-0. The second inning saw further action as Bella Fuentes singled to left field, followed by a two-run home run by Ella Myers.
Jazzy Santos doubled, and Emily Carr singled through the right side, driving in another run, ending the inning with UC Santa Barbara ahead 4-0.
The Gauchos continued to extend their lead in the third inning; Fuentes singled and later scored on a single by Dani Rauscher. A wild pitch allowed Jaelyn Toledo to score, and Banks drove in Rauscher with a single, pushing the score to 7-0.
During the fourth inning, Cat Benitez, pinch-hitting for Delaina Ma’ae, singled and was advanced by Fuentes’ double. Myers singled, bringing in Benitez, and Toledo’s sacrifice fly scored Kaylin Garcia, who was pinch-running for Fuentes, leading to a 9-0 advantage after the fourth inning.
In the fifth inning, Cal State Northridge was unable to generate any offense, resulting in a complete game shutout by Malaya Johnson, who pitched 5 innings with six strikeouts.
UC Santa Barbara and CSUN will play a single-game series tomorrow, April 19. First pitch between the Gauchos and Matadors will be at 1 p.m. as the Gauchos look for the sweep.
It will also be Youth Day at the ballpark with UCSB wigs being given away and youth softball players can stick around after the game for a chance to run the bases and postgame autographs.