SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Coming off the most historic season in UC Santa Barbara Softball program history, two seniors have been to D1Softball's Preseason D100 Mid-Major Rankings. Pitcher Malaya Johnson and third basemen Bella Fuentes each earned recognition on the list.
 
Johnson, who finished the season ranked No. 44 in the final Mid-Major Player Rankings a year ago, moved up 23 spots to No. 21 as she heads into her senior season. The reigning Big West Pitcher of the Year finished the season pitching 223.1 innings, the sixth most in all of Division I softball. Over her 223 innings, she struck out 122 batters while holding a 2.95 ERA.
 
Fuentes was a force at the plate during the 2025 season. The third baseman hit .298 over 188 at-bats with 56 total hits and 25 going for extra bases, including 12 doubles, 11 home runs and two triples. The 2025 First Team All-Big West selection broke the single-season RBI record by driving in 62 runs last season, while her 11 home runs ranked fourth most in a single season.
 
Johnson, Fuentes and the Gauchos open up the 2026 season on Friday, Feb. 6 against Northern Colorado and UCLA at the Stacy Winsberg Memorial Tournament hosted by UCLA at Easton Stadium.