BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The UC Santa Barbara Softball team (15-13, 4-2 Big West) is coming off their first-ever sweep of Cal State Fullerton this past weekend and looks to carry that momentum into their next series against Cal State Bakersfield.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Gauchos swept Cal State Fullerton for the first time in program history last weekend, outscoring the Titans 32-17 in the three-game series. Malaya Johnson was the pitcher of record in all three contests and offensively Bella Fuentes could not be stopped. The junior third basemen batted .455 with two home runs and 10 RBIs.
 
SCOUTING THE ROADRUNNERS
The Gauchos will wrap up their six-game road trip with a jaunt up to Bakersfield on Saturday and Sunday. The 'Runners are fresh off being swept by UC Riverside last weekend. They post an 11-18 overall record and a 2-4 record in The Big West.
 
Offensively the 'Runners are powered by freshmen first basemen, Maalia Cherry. The first-year student-athlete leads the team in batting average (0.338), hits (27), home runs (8) and RBIs (21). Bakersfield only has one other hitter, hitting above .300 in Hannah Garcia. Garcia is currently hitting .309 through 28 games with 21 hits, six doubles and a triple.
 
In the circle, the Roadrunners are led by Bailee Bustos who has pitched nearly 100 innings so far this season. The junior currently holds a 4.24 ERA in 23 appearances. She has pitched 10 complete games, struck out 26 hitters while walking 42. Opponents are hitting .271 off of her and .317 off the entire CSUB staff.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
UC Santa Barbara and Cal State Bakersfield will play a doubleheader on Saturday, March 22 with the first game beginning at noon. The Gauchos and Roadrunners will wrap up their series on Sunday, March 23 at 1 p.m. For those unable to make the trip to Bakersfield the games will be streamed through ESPN+ with live stats available.