Manoa, Hawai'i - After being washed out by heavy rain last night the UC Santa Barbara Softball team (25-19, 14-6 Big West) and Hawai'i met in a doubleheader. A back and forth game one resulted in the Rainbow Wahine inching closer to the Gauchos in the standings. The Blue and Gold bounced back with a come-from-behind win in game two.

GAME ONE: GAUCHOS 3, RAINBOW WAHINE 4
After a slow start to the game, seeing just one hit aside after the first two innings, Hawai'i got on the board first in the third innings. The Rainbow Wahine took the lead with a two-run home after a walk, making the score 2–0. The Gauchos responded in the fourth inning with Ainsley Waddell's solo home run to center field, reducing the deficit to 2–1. 

In the fifth inning, Tehya Banks doubled and Erin Mendoza singled, but the Gauchos were unable to bring any across and left three runners on base. In the sixth inning, Banks hit a two-run homer, driving in Daryn Siegel and momentarily leveling the score at 3–3. Banks' home run was the Gauchos 38th of the season, tying the program record for home runs hit in a single season.

Unfortunately, the Wahine reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the sixth with a solo home run by and taking a 4–3 advantage. The Gauchos were able to get a runner into scoring position, but could not tie the score. Despite UC Santa Barbara's attempts in the final inning, they were unable to score, resulting in a 4–3 victory for the Wahine.

GAME TWO: GAUCHOS 5, RAINBOW WAHINE 3
In the second inning, UC Santa Barbara took the lead when Delaina Ma'ae doubled and subsequently scored on a double by Bella Fuentes, giving them a 1-0 advantage. The Wahine responded in the third inning with two runs, taking the lead 2-1 after a pair of singles plated the two runs.

In the fifth inning, UC Santa Barbara regained momentum with a strong offensive display. Jazzy Santos walked, followed by Ainsley Waddell's two-run home run, scoring Santos. The Waddell home runs was the Gauchos 39th of the season, the most hit in a single season in program history. Further hits by Ma'ae, Banks, and Fuentes contributed to a four-run inning, pushing UC Santa Barbara ahead 5-2. The Wahine managed to score once more in the sixth inning on an RBI single bringing the score to 5-3.

UC Santa Barbara's defense held strong in the final inning. Despite the Wahine's efforts to rally, UC Santa Barbara maintained their lead, securing a 5-3 victory.

CHAMPIONSHIP IMPLICATIONS
With Cal State Fullerton sweeping UC Davis and the Gauchos splitting two games. UC Santa Barbara now sits alone in second place in The Big West standings, 1.5 games back of the Titans.

UP NEXT
UC Santa Barbara will return home next weekend as they host UC Davis for senior weekend. The Gauchos and Aggies will play a doubleheader on Saturday, April 26 with game one at noon. They will wrap up the series on Sunday, April 7 with a single game at 1 p.m.