SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - After falling in the first game of the doubleheader the UC Santa Barbara Softball team (27-21, 16-8 Big West) bounced back with a series finale win and to take the series from UC Davis. The split on the day now puts the Gauchos three games back of first place Cal State Fullerton and are a game up on Hawai'i and CSUN.

GAME ONE: GAUCHOS 2, AGGIES 3
In the first inning, UC Davis took an early lead with a run scored via a walk-induced RBI. UC Santa Barbara loaded the bases in their half of the inning but couldn't convert, leaving the score 1–0 in favor of UCD after the first.

In the second inning, Davis extended their lead scoring on a fielding error. UC Santa Barbara responded in the bottom of the inning with Alexa Sams reaching home on a sacrifice fly from Elicia Acosta, leaving the score at 2–1, still in favor of UCD.

UC Santa Barbara continued to apply pressure in the third inning when Tehya Banks doubled and was brought home by a single from Bella Fuentes, leveling the score at 2–2 by the end of the inning.

The fifth inning saw the Aggies regain the lead after a triple and a sacrifice fly, making it 3–2. The Gauchos had another opportunity to score in the bottom of the inning, but Davis's defense held strong.

Despite multiple hits throughout the game, UC Santa Barbara could not add more runs after the third inning. UCD maintained their lead, with the score closing at 3–2 in their favor, securing the win for the Aggies.

GAME TWO: GAUCHOS 3, AGGIES 1
UC Santa Barbara took an early lead in the first inning when Tehya Banks stole second base, allowing Giselle Mejia to score on a throw, which was unearned, setting the score at 1–0. The Gauchos maintained their advantage through strong defensive play, keeping Davis scoreless through the first four innings. In the fifth, the Aggies managed to score a run, tying the game at 1–1.

The Gauchos regained momentum in the sixth inning. Banks singled and was driven home by a Bella Fuentes double, adding another run. A dropped fly ball by UCD allowed Kaylin Garcia, running for Fuentes, to score an additional unearned run, bringing the score to 3–1. UC Santa Barbara's defense held firm in the seventh inning, preventing Davis from scoring again, and securing a 3–1 victory for the Gauchos.

UP NEXT
UC Santa Barbara will wrap up the regular season next week as they travel to CSUN to take on the Matadors on Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3. The three game series could decide the No. 2 seed in The Big West Championships.