SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The UC Santa Barbara softball team fell to Notre Dame to round out their 10-game homestand on Wednesday afternoon. UC Santa Barbara collected 12 hits, including two doubles, during the game, but was unable to overcome a three-run seventh inning by the Irish.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
After the Irish drew first blood, UC Santa Barbara tied the game when Giselle Mejia scored on a defensive error after Ainsley Waddell hit a single to center field. The Gauchos and Irish would be tied at the end of the first.
 
Notre Dame took a lead in the second inning, scoring three runs. A double to right center brought in all three, increasing the Irish's lead to 4-1 by the end of the inning.
 
The fourth inning saw a strong offensive response from UC Santa Barbara. Jaelyn Toledo's single set the stage for a rally, followed by Jazzy Santos doubling down the right field line. A series of hits, including a two-RBI double by Emily Carr, allowed UC Santa Barbara to score five runs in the inning, taking a 6-5 lead.
 
After the Gauchos gained their first lead, Ella Myers shut down Notre Dame in the fifth to keep the Gauchos ahead. Malaya Johnson relieved Myers in the the sixth inning and also sent the Irish down in order as the Gauchos took the lead to the seventh.
 
In the seventh inning, the Irish regained the lead with a three-run inning. Two doubles brought in the decisive runs. UC Santa Barbara's final offensive efforts were unsuccessful, concluding the game at 8-6 in favor of the Fighting Irish.
 
UP NEXT
UC Santa Barbara will head to Cal Poly to resume Big West play as the Gauchos and Mustangs clash in a three-game series beginning on Saturday, March 14. All three games will be streamed on ESPN+ with live stats available.