The UCSB softball team hopes to rebound from a sweep against No. 9 Fullerton last weekend and sting Sacramento State where it hurts most.

Not only do the Gauchos have playoff hopes on the line against the Hornets, but sophomore rightfielder Leslie Simien will lace her running cleats for a Big West record 38th stolen base. Simien is one steal away from breaking former New Mexico State player Andrea Benford’s former record of 37 swipes in 1996.

Santa Barbara, currently 26-34 on the season and 11-10 in Big West Conference play, will try to send the Hornets into a dreary off season. Sacramento State is barely avoiding the cellar, one game better than Riverside. The Hornets are 5-16 in conference action and 16-32 overall.

Sacramento State’s Jillian Bivert hits at a .326 clip and leads her team with nine doubles, 47 hits, 16 walks and 19 runs. Bivert’s 13 RBIs are second on the team to Cathy Coupar’s 15. Allison Norman bats .303 and Erin Coyne bats .302 for the Hornets.

Coyne is second on the team with 42 hits, but has scored only three runs after reaching base 59 times over the course of the season. Coyne also has 12 RBI.

Senior Julia Tamai currently leads the Gauchos in batting average, hitting at a solid .324 pace on 57 hits while driving in 29 runs, second on the club. Junior catcher Jami Trinidad leads the team with 37 RBIs while walking 35 times. Simien has scored 30 runs while batting .291. On the mound, junior starter Loren Thornburg and sophomore starter Katie Junge have each won 12 games.

– Nexus Staff Report