SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — UC Santa Barbara softball earned the series win against Cal State Bakersfield behind a decisive 9-0 victory at Campus Diamond on Sunday. A standout performance was delivered in the fourth inning when UC Santa Barbara scored seven runs, contributing to its nine-hit shutout win. Ainsley Waddell twirled her first shutout of the year, only giving up three hits.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
In the first inning, UC Santa Barbara's Giselle Mejia got the scoring started with a two-run home run to right field, scoring Dani Rauscher, who had reached on an error. This early lead set the tone for the game.
 
The fourth inning was a turning point, as UC Santa Barbara expanded its lead significantly. Jazzy Santos started the inning with a single, and Delaina Ma'ae reached on an error on her sacrifice bunt attempt, allowing Santos to advance to third. Emily Carr followed with a two-RBI single, bringing in Santos and Ma'ae. Later in the inning, Tehya Banks doubled to right center, driving in two more runs. Santos capped the inning with a three-RBI double, scoring Banks, Rauscher, and Mejia. After this explosive inning, UC Santa Barbara led 9-0.
 
Ainsley Waddell had her best outing of the season, throwing five shutout innings, allowing three hits and striking out four to earn her second win of the season in the circle.
 
UP NEXT
UC Santa Barbara continues its homestand with a three-game series against Hawai'i next weekend. The Gauchos and Rainbow Wahine will play a single game on Friday, April 3. First pitch will be at 12 p.m. with the game being broadcast on ESPN+ and live stats available.