SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – The UC Santa Barbara softball team (25-19, 14-6 Big West) is set to play four games in three games this week. The Gauchos will first travel up the 101 to San Luis Obispo, where they will finish their series against Hawai'i on the campus of Cal Poly on Friday, April 25. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. Following the day trip up the coast, the Blue and Gold return to Campus Diamond to host UC Davis in their last home series of the year.
SCHEDULE UPDATE
The Friday game against Hawai'i will be a make-up contest for the game that was originally scheduled for April 18. However, heavy rain on the island canceled the game. A pivotal game in the standings would put the Gauchos a game back of Cal State Fullerton for first place in the standings.
The doubleheader against UC Davis scheduled for Saturday stays as is. The first pitch of game one will be at noon and the second game will follow 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one. The series finale also stays as scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 27. Following the game the Gauchos will honor their seniors in part of their senior day festivities.
LAST TIME OUT
The Gauchos returned to California after splitting two games in Hawai'i against the Rainbow Wahine. After dropping the first game of the doubleheader last Saturday, UC Santa Barbara responded with a come-from-behind victory to stay 1.5 games up on Hawai'i and gain a game back on Cal State Fullerton in the standings.
Tehya Banks and
Bella Fuentes were crucial against the Wahine as the duo combined to hit 0.462 (6-13) with four extra base hits and drove in five of the Gauchos' eight runs over the two games. Over the last five games Banks has been scorching hot hitting 0.636 with three doubles a home run and three runs batted in. She has reached base in over 75 percent of her plate appearances.
SCOUTING THE AGGIES
UC Davis comes into the weekend with a 13-32 overall record and 7-14 in The Big West. Their 7-14 conference record currently sits on the outside looking in for The Big West Championships. The Aggies are four games out of the final spot for the Championships.
Offensively, the Aggies are led by freshman infielder Rylee Reeves. The Turlock, California native is hitting a team-best .315 with five doubles and two triples. She has drove in 13 runs and scored 14 times herself. The only other hitter that holds a .300 or better average is Mickey Buscemi who is hitting .304. Buscemi leads the team in runs, hits and doubles.
In the circle, the Aggies use, for the most part, a two-pitcher rotation. Ashley Sawai leads in all statistical categories. The sophomore holds a 4.51 ERA across 131.2 innings pitched and has struck out 86. She is 9-12 in the circle and have pitched in four of the five shutouts for the Aggies. Caroline Grimes has also pitched over 100 innings for the Aggies while posting a 5.78 ERA while striking out 71.
FOLLOW ALONG
Friday's single game against Hawai'i at Cal Poly will start at 1 p.m. No stream will be available but you can follow along on live stats at ucsbgauchos.com/SoftballLiveStats. The Gauchos series against UC Davis will begin on Saturday, April 26 with a doubleheader. First pitch of game one will be at noon. The series will wrap up on Sunday, April 27 with a single game beginning at 1 p.m. All three games of the UC Santa Barbara, UC Davis series will be streamed on ESPN+ with live stats also available.
