FRESNO, Calif. - The UC Santa Barbara Softball Team (5-1) is off to their best start since 2013 season when they started 5-1 as well. Now, back in the Golden State, the Gauchos look to carry momentum to the San Joaquin Valley this upcoming weekend as they take on Utah, LMU and Fresno State.

LAST TIME OUT
The Gauchos returned from their six-game trip in Las Cruces and El Paso 5-1. After dropping their first game 1-0, the Gauchos rattled off five straight wins, scoring 10 or more runs in four of the final five games. The Blue and Gold clubbed nine home runs, nearly half as many hit a season ago. Four of which came off the bat of Ainsley Waddell tying her season total from the 2024 season.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
With her impressive opening weekend, Waddell captured the first Big West Field Player of the Week award. The sophomore reached base more times than not (.565 OBP) at the New Mexico State Invitational and doubleheader at UTEP last weekend, contributing to a 5-1 start for the Gauchos. Waddell started all six games, hitting .474 (9-for-19) with eight runs scored and nine runs driven in. She hit four homers—including a two-homer game in the 10-2 rout of Colorado State—and a double for a scorching hot 1.723 OPS. Furthermore, the lefty walked twice and was hit by a pitch twice, compared to only two strikeouts, and stole a base.

PRESEASON RECOGNITION
The Big West has announced their Preseason Coaches' Poll and All-Big West Preseason Team last Thursday, Jan. 30. For UC Santa Barbara Softball, they have been voted to finish third in the conference. Along with that, Alexa Sams and Ainsley Waddell have been selected to the All-Big West Preseason Team.

This marks the highest the Gauchos have ranked in the preseason poll since 2008 and the second consecutive year the Gauchos have had multiple Preseason All-Big West selections. The Gauchos will look to build off a 20-28 overall record and a 14-13 Big West record from a season ago. Head Coach Jo Evans has led the Gauchos to consecutive 20-win season for the first time since 2017 and 2018.

Sams is coming off a season that saw her recognized as an All-Big West Second Team selection where she batted .357 over 44 games, ranking second on the team and ninth in The Big West. The senior recorded eight doubles and one triple while driving in 22 runs. Sams, a career .326 hitter currently ranks ninth all-time in career batting average heading into her final season.

The reigning Big West Freshman of the Year adds another bullet point on the resume being named to the All-Big West Preseason team. This comes just after Waddell was named a Top 15 dual threat player by D1Softball.com. Waddell who enjoyed a standout freshman year hit .342 over 48 games while leading the team in doubles (14), runs batted in (35), slugging percentage (.523), and total bases (81). In the circle, Waddell was 5-11 with a 4.07 ERA over 87.2 innings pitched. Despite throwing the least amount of innings among qualified pitchers, she led the team in strikeouts with 57.

THE SCHEDULE
UC Santa Barbara will begin the classic on Friday, Feb. 14 as they take on Utah at 12:30 p.m. The Gauchos will play two games on Saturday, Feb. 15 the first starting at 12:30 p.m. against LMU followed by a 3 p.m. game against host school, Fresno State. The Gauchos will conclude the event on Sunday playing two more games the first at 10 a.m. against LMU and finishing against Utah at 12:30 p.m.

SCOUTING THE UTES
Utah Kicked off their 2025 season at the Kajikawa Classic, hosted by Arizona State last weekend. The Utes played five games over three days going 3-2. Utah opened the season with a 2-0 win over Minnesota before dropping their next two games. On the third and final day of the tournament they pulled out two, one-run games to get back above .500.

Coming into the season, Freshmen pitcher, Hailey Maestretti was named to D1Softball's D100 Freshman Watch List. During her first weekend the Parker, Colorado native appeared in three games, pitching 9.1 innings allowing 10 runs (six earned) while striking out six.

Additionally, Kaylah Nelsen was named to the Big 12 Softball Preseason team, the lone Ute on the 18 person team. The Utes were also slotted sixth in the Big 12 Preseason Poll. Nelsen is coming off a weekend that saw her record a hit in three of the five games. Coming into the weekend the senior is hitting .278 with two doubles, one home run and four runs batted in.

SCOUTING THE LIONS
The Lions had the opposite result of the Gauchos during their opening weekend. After beating Southern University 12-2 in five innings, LMU proceeded to drop their next four games and finish their opening weekend 1-4.

Loyola Marymount was picked to finish second in the six team, West Coast Conference (WCC). The Lions picked up one first place vote and were slotted between No. 1 Saint Mary's and No. 3 Oregon State. Additionally, the Lions placed three position players on the All-WCC Preseason  team. Mika Chong, Izzy Jamgotchian and Arianna Jaurequi all were honored.

The trio mentioned above combined for to go 8-27 (0.296), six runs scored, one double, two home runs and eight runs batted in. Jaurequi was limited to just 1-12 at the plate.

SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Fresno State opened their 2025 season at the Stanford Invitational, playing Pacific, Long Beach State, Stanford and SeattleU. After winning the first game of the event, the Bulldogs los their next four. Now the Fresno sets their sights on the first of three tournaments they will host. 

Prior to the season starting, The 'Dogs were picked to finish second in the Mountain West and junior left-handed pitcher Seraph Weiss was named to the All-Mountain West Preseason Team. Neiss posted a 13-11 record in the circle a season ago posting a 2.58 earned run average over 152.0 innings pitched. She struck out over 100 batters and allowed opponents to hit just .243 against her. During the first weekend the junior appeared in three games and making two starts. She went 0-2 with a 3.75 earned run average across 9.1 innings.

The Bulldogs do not currently have a qualified hitter batting above .300 through their first five games. Natalie Elias leads Fresno State hitting .294 with one double and one run scored.

FOLLOW ALONG
All five games will only have live stats, no broadcast or stream will be available. Score updates for each game can be seen on X or the teams instagram story.