RIVERSIDE, Calif. --The UCSB Gauchos took a 4-0 lead in the first inning and never trailed from there on the way to a 4-1 victory against the UC Riverside Highlanders on Saturday.

GAME ONE: GAUCHOS 4, HIGHLANDERS 1
The Gauchos got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with four runs in the top of the first inning. They first pushed a run across after Madelyn McdNally led off the game with a double, Jazzy Santos followed that up with a double of her own to bring in McNally. The hit parade continued as the Gauchos pushed three more runs across in the innings. UC Riverside put one run up in the opening frame to cut into the deficit but the Gauchos held strong and did not surrender anymore runs for the remainder of the game.

Senior Camryn Snyder started in the circle and picked up the win for UC Santa Barbara. The right-hander went seven innings, giving up one run on four hits, allowing three walks and striking out five.

Offensively, the Gauchos were paced by senior Madelyn McNally, who went 3-for-4 on the day with two doubles. Sophomore Jazzy Santos put together a noteworthy performance at the dish as well, going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Junior Alexa Sams also helped out for UC Santa Barbara, putting together one hit in three trips to the plate while adding two RBI.

GAME TWO: GAUCHOS 8, HIGHLANDERS 7
The Gauchos got on the scoreboard first again starting in the third inning. Junior Elicia Acosta put UC Santa Barbara on the board with a leadoff home run off junior Heinlin.

The Highlanders then rallied to score two runs and take a 2-1 lead before the Gauchos got back on the board in the fourth. Sophomore Jazzy Santos came across to score the lone run of the inning for Santa Barbara, which brought the score level at 2-2.

That 2-2 tie turned into a 3-2 Gaucho lead in the fifth. UC Santa Barbara scored a run on sophomore Bella Fuentes' one-out solo home run off Heinlin.

The Highlanders then tied up the ballgame at three before Santa Barbara came back to retake their advantage in the sixth inning. The Gauchos scored five runs in the inning, highlighted by a two-run double off the bat of freshman Ainsley Waddell, bringing the score to 8-3 in favor of the Gauchos. UC Riverside put four runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but the Gauchos still held on for the 8-7 win.

Sophomore Malaya Johnson started in the circle and picked up the win for UC Santa Barbar). The right-hander went seven innings, giving up one earned run, on 10 hits, allowing one walk and striking out three.

GAME NOTES
McNally picked up three base knocks in the game one for the Gauchos.
Snyder struck out five Highlanders hitters.
The Gauchos power output was led by McNally, who compiled two extra base hits in the ballgame.
UC Santa Barbara grabbed a 4-1 lead in the top half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
Santa Barbara went 4-for-10 (.400) with runners in scoring position during game one.
The Gauchos now have four multi-home run games on the season after hitting two in game two of the doubleheader.
Madelyn McNally has recorded multiple hits in her last six games.
Bella Fuentes became the sixth Gaucho to hit a home run this season with her game two home run.

UP NEXT
The Gauchos and Highlanders will conclude their series tomorrow, May 5. First pitch is scheduled for noon.