SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Despite limiting Creighton to just one run, the UC Santa Barbara Softball team (10-9) were unable to produce offensively and fell to the Bluejays 1-0. Grace Luderer was spectacular in the circle striking out six over seven innings of work.

HOW IT HAPPENED
UC Santa Barbara was unable to score in the first inning, with Jazzy Santos, Kaylin Garcia, and Ainsley Waddell each being retired in succession. The team collected their first hit in the second inning when Delaina Ma'ae singled to right field, but the inning ended without any runs as Alexa Sams reached on a fielder's choice and both Bella Fuentes and Emily Carr struck out swinging.

In the fourth inning, UC Santa Barbara had a chance to capitalize when Garcia walked and Waddell reached on a fielder's choice, but the team could not advance further. They ended the inning with two runners left on base following a double play off the bat of Sams. The score remained 1-0 in favor of the Bluejays at this point.

The fifth inning saw Fuentes delivering a double to left field, and Makayla Newsom entered as a pinch runner, advancing to third on Carr's sacrifice bunt. Despite these efforts, the Gauchos were unable to bring the run home as Giselle Mejia flied into a double play, ending the inning with no runs scored.

Through the remainder of the game, UC Santa Barbara's lineup struggled to generate further offensive momentum. The team concluded the game with two hits and no runs, while the Bluejays maintained their one-run lead to secure the victory.

Grace Luderer pitched the full game for the Gauchos allowing just a single run and striking out six over her seven innings of work.

UP NEXT
The Gauchos will be back in action at 2:15 p.m. as they take on UNLV. For those unable to attend in person, the game will be streamed through ESPN+ with live stats also available.