SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (April 14, 2023) – The UC Santa Barbara softball team (22-11, 9-3 Big West) is set to host Long Beach State (19-17, 9-3 Big West) this Saturday and Sunday at Campus Diamond. The teams are tied for first place in The Big West standings entering the weekend.
UC Santa Barbara comes into the series having won eight straight games, all against Big West opponents. The Gauchos have found themselves tied for first in The Big West standings with Long Beach State after three straight series victories, two of which were sweeps. Since Big West play has begun the Gauchos have been recognized three times for weekly honors.
Ashley Donaldson, Malaya Johnson, and Jazzy Santos have all been recognized by the conference for their work on the field. Donaldson currently sits second in The Big West in batting average hitting .398 with 10 doubles, four triples, and three home runs. Johnson has been impressive in the circle in her first year as a Gaucho. The freshman has pitched 59 innings allowing just 22 earned runs for a 2.61 ERA in 12 appearances and 10 starts. Santos, another freshman, is hitting .305 in her first season with three doubles, a triple, and 11 runs batted in.
The Gauchos continue to split the gaps and use their speed as they are first in the nation in triples. The offense also ranks in the top 50 in Division I in batting average, on-base percentage, and scoring.
UC Santa Barbara and Cal State Bakersfield will play a doubleheader on Saturday, April 15 with the first game set to begin at 12 p.m. (noon). The teams will conclude their series with a single game on Sunday, April 16 with the first pitch at 1 p.m. Sunday's single game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
