SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The UC Santa Barbara Softball team (11-11) wrapped up their first weekend at Campus Diamond with a split on Sunday afternoon. The Gauchos defeated Creighton in comeback fashion before falling in five innings to UNLV.

GAME ONE: GAUCHOS 5, BLUEJAYS 4
After the Bluejays scored three runs through the first two innings, UC Santa Barbara cut into the Creighton lead with two runs. Giselle Mejia walked and advanced to third on Emily Carr's single. Erin Mendoza then reached on a fielder's choice, and Mejia scored on a throw. Tehya Banks hit a double to right center, bringing Mendoza home.

In the fifth inning, UC Santa Barbara capitalized on a key hit to take the lead. Mendoza walked, and with runners on second and third, Alexa Sams delivered a single to center field, driving in two runs and tying the game at four a side.

The sixth inning saw UC Santa Barbara take their first lead of the game. Mejia singled up the middle, and a pinch-runner, Makayla Newsom, scored after Kaylin Garcia singled to left field.

UC Santa Barbara held the Bluejays scoreless in the seventh inning, securing a 5-4 victory. The team managed five hits and left five runners on base while committing only one error.

GAME TWO: GAUCHOS 2, REBELS 12
UC Santa Barbara fell behind early as Las Vegas scored seven unearned runs in the first inning, taking advantage of a series of miscues to build an early lead. Despite the rough start, UC Santa Barbara responded in the bottom of the first inning when Jazzy Santos singled and later scored on a Ainsley Waddell single up the middle, putting the home team on the board.

In the second inning, UC Santa Barbara's Erin Mendoza reached base with a single and advanced to third on a stolen base and a throwing error. However, the team was unable to capitalize further, leaving two runners stranded as the inning closed with no additional runs.

The game saw a resurgence of activity in the fifth inning for UC Santa Barbara. Tehya Banks led off with a single and, after a double play, Sams reached base after being hit by a pitch. Daryn Siegel then delivered a timely double down the right field line, driving in Sams and adding to the team's tally, bringing the score to 12-2.

Despite the efforts, the game concluded with UC Santa Barbara managing two runs on five hits. The Rebels' initial surge proved decisive, with the visiting team securing victory with 12 runs on six hits.

UP NEXT
UC Santa Barbara will continue their home stand as they begin Big West action on Saturday, March 8 when they welcome UC Riverside to Campus Diamond. The Gauchos and Highlanders will play a double header on Saturday with the first game starting at 12 p.m. For those unable to attend, the game will be broadcast through ESPN+ with live stats available.