LA JOLLA, Calif. - The UC Santa Barbara Softball team (22-17, 11-4 Big West) fell in the series finale to the UC San Diego Tritons Sunday afternoon. After holding UCSD scoreless for the first five innings of the game the Gauchos surrendered four runs in the final two frames to secure the victory over the Gauchos.

HOW IT HAPPENED
UC Santa Barbara began the game with an early lead in the first inning when Jazzy Santos tripled to left field and was driven in by Giselle Mejia's single, putting the Gauchos up 1–0. In the third inning, they extended their lead. Alexa Sams singled and Mejia followed with another single, setting the stage for Bella Fuentes, who delivered a double down the left field line, bringing in two runs. This offensive burst gave them a 3–0 advantage heading into the bottom of the third.

UCSD's offense was held in check for the first five innings, with UC Santa Barbara's defense maintaining a shutout and allowing only minimal hits. However, in the sixth inning, the Tritons mounted a comeback. A single, followed by an RBI double put the Tritons on the board. Following that sequence UCSD tied the game at three with a two run home-run. 

The seventh inning saw UC Santa Barbara fail to score, even after reaching base on an error and a hit by pitch. In the bottom half, the Tritons capitalized on a single and an error allowing UC San Diego to score the unearned go-ahead run. This secured a 4–3 victory for the Tritons.

UP NEXT
UC Santa Barbara will return to Campus Diamond next weekend as they host Long Beach State. The Gauchos and Beach will play a doubleheader on Saturday, April 12 followed by a single game on Sunday, April 13.