NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - The UC Santa Barbara Softball team (27-23, 16-10 Big West) dropped both games of the doubleheader to CSUN on Friday afternoon. The Gauchos were unable to find some timely hits as they left 11 runners on base, seven of which came in game two. Despite outhitting the Matadors the Gauchos fell.

GAME ONE: GAUCHOS 2, MATADORS 3
After a scoreless start, the Matadors took the lead in the third inning on a solo home run, putting them ahead 1–0. The Gauchos responded in the fifth inning. Bella Fuentes singled to center field, and Kaylin Garcia, pinch running, advanced to third on a sacrifice and a ground out. Elicia Acosta then delivered a single to left field, driving in Garcia to tie the game at 1–1.

In the sixth inning, UC Santa Barbara added another run. Jazzy Santos singled, followed by a single from Giselle Mejia, and Tehya Banks was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Fuentes grounded out, allowing Santos to score and giving the Gauchos a 2–1 lead.

The Matadors rallied in the bottom of the seventh. After a double by the Matadors, a dropped fly ball allowed a run to score, tying the game. The very next batter ripped an RBI single bringing in the winning run, resulting in a 3–2 victory for the Matadors.

GAME TWO: GAUCHOS 1, MATADORS 4
The Matadors scored in the first inning after a bases loaded hit batsmen brought in the first round of the game giving CSUN an early 1-0 lead. UC Santa Barbara struggled offensively early, leaving one runner on base in the first without securing a hit.

In the second inning, the Matadors extended their lead with a three-run homer bringing the score to 4-0. UC Santa Barbara's defense held strong in the third and fourth innings, preventing further runs despite a few baserunners, maintaining the score at 4-0.

The Gauchos managed to get on the board in the fifth inning. Ainsley Waddell singled, followed by an Alexa Sams' single, and Elicia Acosta's RBI double scored Garcia, narrowing the deficit to 4-1. However, CSUN's defense held the Gauchos to just one run in that inning, as the score remained 4-1.

UC Santa Barbara's pitching and defense kept the Matadors scoreless in the latter innings. Despite accumulating seven hits, the Gauchos were unable to capitalize further, leaving seven runners on base throughout the game. The game concluded with UC Santa Barbara falling to CSUN, 4-1.

CHAMPIONSHIP IMPLICATIONS
With the two loses the Gauchos will now be the No. 3, 4 or 5 seed in The 2025 Big West Championships next week. Santa Barbara is currently sitting in third place as they are one game behind CSUN in the standings and a 0.5 game up on Hawai'i. Results around the league this weekend will determine the Gauchos final standing.

LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS

• Bella Fuentes broke the single-season RBI record after her sixth inning ground out brought in her 56th RBI of the season.
• The last time the Gauchos lost back-to-back games on the same day was nearly a month and a half ago on March 26 against Santa Clara.
• The Gauchos are now 10-9 in one run games in the 2025 season.

UP NEXT
The Gauchos and Matadors will complete their series tomorrow with a single game starting at 1 p.m. The Game will not be broadcasted and only live stats will be available.