SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Following the best year in program history, UC Santa Barbara Softball has been selected as the preseason favorite headed into the 2026 season. The Gauchos narrowly edged out Cal State Fullerton for the top spot. Along with being picked first in the poll, three players were named to the Preseason Coaches' Team.
 
Bella Fuentes returns for her senior season after putting up her best numbers in 2025. The Chino Hills native batted .298 with 12 doubles, 11 home runs, and 62 RBIs across 188 at-bats. The 62 RBIs were an individual single-season record for Fuentes. She was named First Team All-Big West following the conference season.
 
Malaya Johnson, another senior, returns as the ace of the staff for the Gauchos. During the 2025 season, the Roseville native was named Third Team All-West Region, Big West Pitcher of the Year, First Team All-Big West and The Big West Championship All-Tournament Team and MVP. She pitched 223.1 innings, the sixth most in the entire country, earning 24 wins and throwing 22 complete games. If that wasn't enough, she threw 283 pitches in 18 innings on May 17 to help the Gauchos stave off elimination and win the program's first two NCAA Tournament games.
 
Sophomore Giselle Mejia had a breakout rookie campaign, earning First Team All-Big West and All-Freshman Team honors. As a freshman, she led the team in batting average, hitting .376 with 20 doubles, two triples and one home run. Her 20 doubles in a single-season were an individual season record.
 
Fuentes, Johnson, Mejia and the Gauchos open their season on Friday, Feb. 6 at 1:30 p.m. against Northern Colorado at the Stacy Winsberg Memorial Tournament, hosted by UCLA. Season and single-game tickets are on sale now!

2026 Big West Preseason Coaches' Poll

Rank / Instituion	Points (First Place Votes)
1. UC Santa Barbara	78 (6)
2. Cal State Fullerton	75 (4)
3. Long Beach State	65
T-4. Hawai'i	50
T-4. UC San Diego	50
6. UC Davis	38
7. CSUN	36
8. Cal Poly	27
9. UC Riverside	22
10. Cal State Bakersfield	9

2026 Big West Preseason Coaches' Team

Student-Athlete	Year	Position	Institution
Ava Arce	Sr.	INF	Cal State Fullerton
Maalia Cherry	So.	INF	UC San Diego
Rebeca Cabezas	Sr.	INF	UC Riverside
Bella Fuentes	Sr.	INF	UC Santa Barbara
Malaya Johnson	Sr.	P	UC Santa Barbara
Alexia Lopez	Sr.	INF	Cal State Fullerton
Nataly Lozano	So.	UTL	Cal State Fullerton
Trisha McCleskey	R-Jr.	P	Cal State Fullerton
Colby McClinton	Sr.	INF	Cal State Fullerton
Giselle Mejia	So.	OF	UC Santa Barbara
Ashley Sawai	Jr.	P	UC Davis