2011 UCSB Softball: Year In Review

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The UC Santa Barbara softball team completed its eighth winning season in the last nine years and its third under head coach Brie Galicinao. During the 2011 campaign, the Gauchos set several school records and posted a 12-win improvement upon the 2010 season.

For The Record
The Gauchos finished the 2011 season with a 27-26 record and an 11-10 mark in the Big West, which was good for a fourth-place finish in the league. UCSB's winning league record was its first since 2008 and the third in the last 10 years.

And The Awards Go To…
Four Gauchos earned All-Big West Conference honors in May: Keilani Jennings, Krista Cobb, Allison Taylor and Kathryn Pilpil. Jennings was named to the All-Big West First Team; Cobb earned Second Team accolades, as did Taylor, and Pilpil picked up an Honorable Mention nod. Cobb's award was the third-straight for the junior while all the other Gaucho honorees were first-time all-conference selections.

Gaucho Honor Roll
Several Gauchos had additional honors bestowed upon them by their team and coaches at the year-end banquet. Here are this year's award winners:

Lainey DePompa • Silver Scholar: Awarded to the sophomore, junior or senior who earned the highest grade point average Spring Quarter 2010 through Winter Quarter 2011.

Kathryn Pilpil • Breakthrough of the Year: Awarded to the person whose new contributions this season had a great impact on Gaucho Softball.

Lauren Boser • Gaucho of Distinction: Awarded to the person whose effort, energy and enthusiasm was an invaluable inspiration to the team.

Allison Taylor • Go-To Gaucho: Awarded to the team member who consistently found a way to perform, by way of grit and play, throughout the season.

Jessica Beristianos • Gaucho of the Year: Awarded to the person who contributed the most to the team through her influence, play, commitment and character; she represents Gaucho Softball in every way.

Leaving Her Mark
Senior Jessica Beristianos finished her four-year career at UCSB with her name sprinkled throughout the UCSB record book. She is tied for first in career doubles (42), ranks fourth in career RBI (91) and is ninth in career runs scored (76).

Rookie(s) of the Year

Freshmen Kathryn Pilpil, McKenzie Kane, Lauren Boser and Andriana Collins each made an immediate impact during their first seasons in the blue and gold. Pilpil was the team-leader in runs (33) and walks (29). Kane led the squad in hits (59) and stolen bases (13). Boser started all 53 games at first base and led the team in chances (383) and putouts (366). Collins, meanwhile, made 31 appearances in the circle and compiled a 12-12 record with a team-leading 89 strikeouts. With 13 players – including these four freshmen – returning next season, 2012 is full of promise.

Two For One
UCSB set two team records this year: in doubles and double plays. The Gauchos tallied a whopping 71 doubles, surpassing the 64 hit by the 2000 squad. UCSB also turned 32 double plays, which toppled its 23 turned in 2010. The Gauchos finished the season ranked second in the nation for double plays per game (.60) and 47^th for doubles per game (1.34).

Two More Till 100!
Head softball coach Brie Galicinao is just two wins away from her 100^th. The fourth-year head coach and 2008 Big West Co-Coach of the Year has compiled a 98-112 (.467) record during her tenure with the Gauchos.