DAVIS, Calif. - After falling in their opening game of the Capital Classic to BYU, the UC Santa Barbara Softball team bounced back with a win over Santa Clara.

Offensively, the Gauchos were paced by McNally, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a double and a walk. Junior Elicia Acosta put together a noteworthy day at the plate as well, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Sophomore Jazzy Santos also contributed for UCSB, putting together one hit in three trips to the plate while adding an RBI.

GAME ONE: GAUCHOS 3, COUGARS 8
The Gauchos got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the top of the first inning. UC Santa Barbara scored twice, with one run coming across on Elicia Acosta's single.

The Cougars then rallied to score eight unanswered runs and took an 8-2 lead in the bottom of the sixth. The Gauchos got back on the board in their half of the seventh, scoring once more on an RBI single off the bat of Jazzy Santos. Unfortunately that is all the Gauchos would get as they fell 8-3 to BYU.

Offensively, the Gauchos were paced by Madelyn McNally, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a double and a walk. Junior Elicia Acosta put together a noteworthy day at the plate as well, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Sophomore Jazzy Santos also contributed for the Gauchos, putting together one hit in three trips to the plate while adding an RBI.

GAME TWO: GAUCHOS 9, BRONCOS 5
The Gauchos were trailing 2-0 in the second inning when they first put runs on the board. Santa Barbara scored three times, all of them coming across on a three-run homer off the bat of Emily Carr.

The Gauchos then held the Broncos scoreless before expanding their lead in the fourth inning. The UC Santa Barbara offense exploded for four runs, highlighted by a two-run home run off the bat of Elicia Acosta, which brought the Gauchos lead to 7-2.

Santa Clara narrowed the Gauchos lead to 7-5 before the Santa Barbara stretched the advantage to 9-5 in the sixth inning. The Gauchos notched two runs off of Santa Clara pitching, punctuated by a run-scoring double by Alexa Sams. The score remained 9-5 for the rest of the game, as the Gauchos coasted to their fourth win of the season.

Freshman Emily McCoskey got the win in the circle for Santa Barbara. The right-hander went seven innings, giving up five runs, allowing no walks and striking out four.

Freshman Emily Carr led the way offensively for the Gauchos, going 1-for-3 in the ballgame with a home run, a walk and three RBI. Junior Elicia Acosta compiled a noteworthy performance as well, going 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI. Junior Alexa Sams also chipped in, going 3-for-4 for the Gauchos with two doubles and an RBI.

GAME NOTES
» Sams compiled three base knocks in the game for UCSB. Her third three-hit game of her career. Two of her three hits went for extra bases.
» Every UC Santa Barbara starter reached base safely in the win against Santa Clara.
» The Gauchos never lost their lead after gaining the lead in the bottom of the second against the Broncos.
» Both senior Madelyn McNally and junior Erin Mendoza stole two bases in Saturday's game.
» UCSB pitchers limited Santa Clara to just 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
» In McCoskey's first career collegiate start she earned her first win and first complete game as well.

UP NEXT
The Gauchos will conclude the Capital Classic tomorrow as they take on Utah State and Sacramento State. Neither game will be live streamed but live stats will be available.