SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (Feb. 18, 2023) – The UC Santa Barbara Softball team (5-2) wrapped up a three-game series with the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at Campus Diamond today. It was a tight battle as these two teams fought until the very last inning, but it was the Gauchos who pulled ahead, defeating the Thunderbirds 5-4 to secure the sweep on the weekend. This 5-2 start is the best for Gaucho Softball since the 2017-18 season. 

FROM HEAD COACH JO EVANS
"I am so proud of the way we competed today. Laya bounced back from the homerun and gave us a chance to win. Our team stepped up when we needed it most and I'm proud of our effort.

HOW IT HAPPENED
It was a new day out at Campus Diamond as the final leg of the series between the Gauchos and Thunderbirds commenced. Neither team was able to score in the first inning, but like the remainder of the weekend, the Gauchos struck first. However, Southern Utah rewrote the script as they came back to go up 4-1 by the end of the fifth inning.

Even though this could have stomped the Gauchos' hopes, it did the opposite. UC Santa Barbara came out in the sixth inning strong, putting up three runs to tie the game heading into the final inning of the game. Gaucho pitcher Malaya Johnson kept the Thunderbirds at bay from the mound with the help of teammates behind her. This gave UC Santa Barbara one final chance to earn the win. And that's exactly what they did. Alexa Sams and Makayla Newsom made key plays to get Bella Fuentes to third base as Madelyn McNally was up to bat with two outs. She had ice in her veins as she placed the ball perfectly in the outfield for Fuentes to score the game-winning run that helped UC Santa Barbara earn the 5-4 win.

LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS

• McNally's walk-off hit gave her team the win in today's game. She registered four hits in five at-bats while adding on one run of her own and the most coveted RBI of the day.
• Chloe Stewart had a great day on the field for the Gauchos. She finished the game with a run and two RBI's with just one hit while also recording a team-high five putouts on defense.
• Fuentes' run today came after putting up a hit during her only at-bat.  
• Johnson secured her first career win while pitching all seven innings today for the Gauchos. In that time, she struck out two batters and held down the Thunderbirds during key moments. 

UP NEXT
The Gauchos will hit the road as they prepare for the Silicon Valley Invitational hosted by Santa Clara University. Over three days, the Gauchos will play Sacramento State, Northern Colorado, San Jose State and the host team Santa Clara. First pitch of the invite will be at 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24.