UCSB splits doubleheader with Hawai’i but wins series

UC SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT). - The UC Santa Barbara softball team earned its fifth straight conference series win after defeating Hawai'i 7-6 in the rubber match of the series. After falling in game one of the doubleheader, the Gauchos bounced back and defeated the Rainbow Wahine to take the series.

GAME ONE: RAINBOW WAHINE 6, GAUCHOS 0
Hawai'i took an early lead in the first inning on an RBI double. The Gauchos' Dani Rauscher lined out, followed by a single from Tehya Banks, who later stole second, but the team could not capitalize further.

In the second inning, Hawai'i extended its lead with two runs. A triple pushed one run across, followed by a single to push the second run across. The Gauchos again got a runner on base but could not capitalize.

Hawai'i added another run in the third inning when a pinch runner scored on a double. Unfortunately for the Gauchos, they were unable to produce any offense in their half of the inning.

In the fifth inning, Hawai'i plated another run on a double. Again, Santa Barbara got traffic on the bases in their half of the inning but could not push a run across.

In the seventh inning, Hawai'i extended its lead with a home run and that was all as the Gauchos were unable to plate a run and fell to UH 6-0.

GAME TWO: GAUCHOS 7, RAINBOW WAHINE 6
UC Santa Barbara secured a narrow victory over Hawai'i with a final score of 7-6. The Gauchos took an early lead in the first inning when Dani Rauscher singled and advanced on a wild pitch, scoring on a Giselle Mejia double to center field. UC Santa Barbara led 1-0 after the first inning.

In the fourth inning, Bella Fuentes delivered a crucial three-run home run, bringing home Delaina Ma'ae and Ainsley Waddell. This offensive surge extended the lead to 4-1 for UC Santa Barbara at the end of the fourth inning.

Hawai'i responded in the fifth inning, scoring four runs, including a three-run homer, which gave the Wahine a 5-4 lead. However, in the bottom of the fifth, Mejia doubled to left center, allowing Rauscher to score and tie the game at 5-5.

In the top half of the sixth inning, the Wahine jumped out in front 6-5 after a solo home run. The lead did not last long as Ella Myers hit a two-run home run, adding to the score. This put UC Santa Barbara ahead 7-6 headed to the final frame.

Sophia Clark entered the game with runners on first and second and two outs in the sixth and struck out the next Hawai'i batter on three pitches. In the seventh, Clark shut down the Wahine to hold on and claim her ninth victory of the season.

Santa Barbara's defense held strong in the final inning, preventing any further scoring from Hawai'i and securing the win. The final score was UC Santa Barbara 7, Hawai'i 6.

UP NEXT
UC Santa Barbara will hit the road next weekend as they travel to Long Beach State. The Gauchos and Beach will clash in a doubleheader on Saturday, April 11, with game one starting at 3 p.m. The series will wrap up on Sunday, April 12, with a single game at 1 p.m. All three games will be broadcast on ESPN+ with live stats available.

(Article courtesy of UCSB Athletics)