BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The UC Santa Barbara Softball team (16-14, 5-3 Big West) carried their momentum from last weekend into game one of the series against Cal State Bakersfield, but could not keep it going as they feel in game two. The long ball was a huge part of both offenses as there were five home runs hit between the two sides.

GAME ONE: GAUCHOS 8, ROADRUNNERS 1
UC Santa Barbara started strong in the first inning with a two-run homer by Giselle Mejia, bringing home Jazzy Santos and setting the tone for the game. This early lead was further solidified in the second inning when Tehya Banks hit a double to drive in Bella Fuentes and Emily Carr, followed by Santos adding another run with a single, extending the advantage to 5-0.

After a scoreless third inning, UC Santa Barbara's offense resumed in the fifth inning. Ainsley Waddell was hit by a pitch and later scored on a sacrifice lineout by Fuentes, bringing the score to 6-0. The Roadrunners managed to cross the plate once in the bottom of the fifth, making it 6-1.

In the sixth inning, the Gauchos capitalized on Cal State Bakersfield's fielding error. Mejia singled to center, scoring Santos, and then advanced on a steal, which allowed Lucy Mogan to score on the throw, increasing the Gauchos' lead to 8-1. This score held through the seventh inning, sealing an 8-1 victory for UC Santa Barbara, who outhit the 'Runners 7-5 and committed no errors in the game.

GAME TWO: GAUCHOS 6, ROADRUNNERS 12
UC Santa Barbara faced an early challenge in the first inning as Cal State Bakersfield took a 5-0 lead. The Roadrunners capitalized on two hit by pitches and a series of hits, including a three-run homer.

In the second inning, UC Santa Barbara responded with a strong offensive effort, scoring three runs. Banks delivered an RBI single, and Alexa Sams followed up with a two-RBI single, bringing the score to 5-3.

UC Santa Barbara added a solo home run by Carr in the fourth inning, narrowing the deficit further. However, CSU Bakersfield increased their lead to 11-4 by the end of the fourth inning.

In the sixth and seventh innings, the Gauchos continued to chip away at the deficit with home runs from Delaina Ma'ae and Fuentes. Despite these efforts, the Gauchos were unable to overcome the early lead established by the 'Runners, concluding the game with a 12-6 loss.

UP NEXT
UC Santa Barbara and Cal State Bakersfield will play the rubber match of the series tomorrow, March 23 at 1 p.m.