SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The UC Santa Barbara Softball team returned to Campus Diamond and split its doubleheader with Cal State Bakersfield to begin the series. The Gauchos dropped the first game before bouncing back in game two.
 
GAME ONE: ROADRUNNERS 6, GAUCHOS 5
UC Santa Barbara opened the scoring in the second inning when Ainsley Waddell doubled to left center, setting the stage for Jaelyn Toledo's RBI double down the right field line. This gave UC Santa Barbara a 1-0 lead at the end of the second inning.
 
In the fourth inning, Waddell again doubled to left center, eventually scoring on Toledo's single, which was followed by an error, allowing Toledo to reach third. Delaina Ma'ae then doubled to right field, bringing Toledo home and extending the advantage to 3-0.
 
The fifth inning saw Dani Rauscher single up the middle and later score on Giselle Mejia's RBI single. Mejia subsequently stole second and scored through Waddell's RBI single. UC Santa Barbara increased its lead to 5-0 by the end of the fifth inning.
 
Sophia Clark was in the zone from the minute the game started. The freshman allowed two hits through six innings and looked to pick up her third straight complete game win.
 
The game took a dramatic turn in the seventh inning as Cal State Bakersfield mounted a comeback. UC Santa Barbara's defense allowed six runs via a combination of hits and errors, culminating in a 6-5 deficit. The Gauchos were able to get two runners on in the bottom of the seventh but were unable to extend the game. It was the first loss in seven games and their first loss in Big West play.
 
GAME TWO: GAUCHOS 10, ROADRUNNERS 3
UC Santa Barbara secured a decisive victory over CSU Bakersfield with a final score of 10-3.
 
In the second inning, Emily Carr doubled to right center, and Jaelyn Toledo singled to advance Carr to third. Delaina Ma'ae's sacrifice fly allowed Carr to score, putting UC Santa Barbara on the board. The inning concluded with the Roadrunners leading 2-1, after scoring two in their half of the second.
 
The third inning was pivotal for UC Santa Barbara. Dani Rauscher and Tehya Banks each singled, setting the stage for Giselle Mejia's two-RBI single up the middle. Ainsley Waddell followed with a two-run homer to right field. Bella Fuentes added a solo home run, and further hits from Jazzy Santos and Rauscher, again, contributed to a seven-run inning. The Gauchos extended their lead to 8-2 at the end of the third.
 
In the sixth inning, Waddell's single to center field drove in two more runs, extending the lead. Bakersfield managed to score once in the top half, but UC Santa Barbara maintained control and were able to throw up a zero in the top of the seventh to secure a 10-3 victory.
 
Malaya Johnson twirled a gem for UC Santa Barbara. The senior threw a complete game, striking out seven and allowing just one earned run. She did not walk anyone and gave up just seven hits and no walks.
 
UP NEXT
UC Santa Barbara and Cal State Bakersfield will finish their series tomorrow, Sunday, March 28. First pitch will be at 1 p.m., with the game being broadcast on ESPN+ with live stats available.