FULLERTON, Calif. - For the first time in program history the UC Santa Barbara Softball team (15-13, 4-2 Big West) swept Cal State Fullerton in their regular season series. After winning both games of the doubleheader yesterday the Gauchos picked up right where they left off and led wire-to-wire in the series finale.
FROM HEAD COACH JO EVANS
"I am really proud of the way our ballclub played this weekend," said Evans. "We were coming off a disappointing opening weekend against UCR, and we had a very productive week of practice, which gave our team a lot of confidence. Our pitching staff did a terrific job, and Malaya was outstanding on the mound. Our hitters were relentless in the box, everyone of them contributed to our success and our defense was solid. I'm proud of our players for being so resilient and gritty. I know it means a lot to our players, especially our seniors, to get the first sweep, ever, of Cal State Fullerton."
HOW IT HAPPENED
UC Santa Barbara initiated the game with a strong offensive showing in the first inning, scoring three runs. Alexa Sams was hit by a pitch and scored on Giselle Mejia's single up the middle. Jazzy Santos also crossed the plate following a fielding error, and Mejia scored on a sacrifice fly by Bella Fuentes, giving the team an early 3-0 lead.
In the second inning, UC Santa Barbara added two more runs. Erin Mendoza reached second base due to a throwing error and was driven home by They Banks' single to center field. Banks herself scored on a groundout by Mejia, pushing the lead to 5-0. The Titans responded with two runs of their own in the bottom half, narrowing the gap to 5-2.
During the fifth inning, UC Santa Barbara extended their advantage by scoring three additional runs. Emily Carr's single brought in Lucy Mogan, and a walk to Daryn Siegel allowed Mejia to score. Sams later drew a bases-loaded walk, bringing the score to 8-3. In the sixth inning, Fuentes hit a two-run homer, further increasing the lead to 10-5.
The seventh inning saw UC Santa Barbara solidifying their control with four more runs. Ainsley Waddell delivered a crucial two-RBI single, and Delaina Ma'ae's double brought Waddell home. A sacrifice fly by Fuentes ended the scoring for the inning, resulting in a final score of 14-5 in favor of UC Santa Barbara. The team combined for 10 hits and capitalized on three CSUF errors throughout the game.
UP NEXT
UC Santa Barbara will stay on the road next weekend as they travel to Cal State Bakersfield next Saturday and Sunday. The Gauchos and Roadrunners will play a doubleheader beginning at noon on Saturday, March 22 and conclude their series on Sunday, March 23 with a single game at 1 p.m.
