HONOLULU (March 18, 2023) – After capturing a win in game one of the series the UC Santa Barbara Softball team (14-10) fell in both games to Hawai'i in the doubleheader. The middle innings proved costly in both games for the Gauchos as Hawai'i scored nine of their 14 runs in the third, fourth or fifth innings.

GAME 1: GAUCHOS 5, HAWAI'I 9
The Gauchos jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after scoring three runs in the top of the first to start the game. UCSB added another run in the fourth to take a four-run lead. Malaya Johnson kept the Hawai'i offense at bay as long as she could, but UH scored five in the fourth and came back to score four in the fifth to take a 9-5 lead. UC Santa Barbara was unable to capitalize on potential scoring opportunities in the sixth and dropped the first game of the doubleheader.

GAME 2: GAUCHOS 0, HAWAI'I 5
In the rubber match of the series the Gaucho offense ran out of steam. Both teams were held scoreless for the first two innings before UH broke the tie in the bottom of the third inning. After not recording a hit unit the fifth inning the Gauchos were only down two and looking to tie the game in the sixth but were unable to. UH took advantage and rallied for three runs in the sixth and went on to win the game 5-0.

UP NEXT
Big West play will continue for UCSB as they travel to San Diego, California to take on UC San Diego in a three-game set. The Gauchos and Tritons will open their series with a doubleheader on Sunday, March 26.