UCSB softball had another winning weekend as they came away with two wins against College of the Canyons and Cuesta College. The Gauchos beat College of the Canyons on Saturday to the tune of 19-1 in a preseason game that allowed them to play in a real game situation before the regular season begins in February. UCSB also beat Cuesta College 6-0, with junior pitcher Jenny Liepman pitching five shutout innings.

Although UCSB faced off against two junior college teams, they would not take anything for granted.

“It doesn’t really matter what level of play is in the opposing dugout,” junior catcher Lainey DePompa said. “It’s just a matter of us playing at our very best all the time.”

College of the Canyons, which went 28-13 overall last year, came to UCSB looking to start their preseason schedule. They will have to go back to the drawing board, though, as UCSB came out as the better team and secured a 19-1 win. This was UCSB’s first game of the year with a nine-person lineup. Its previous game against CSU Monterey allowed the team to bat through the order, but the Gauchos tried to model game conditions.

“These games are giving us an opportunity to face competition other than our own teammates and get some live at-bats,” said DePompa. “We also worked out different plays and situation on defense.”

Cuesta College (16-21-1 overall in 2009) could not get anything going against the Gauchos as the Cougars only recorded three hits the whole game. Liepman got the start and allowed a hit and a walk while striking out six Cougars. Sophomore shortstop Keilani Jennings went 3-4 with a double and a home run. The Gauchos impressed Head Coach Brie Galicinao with the two wins this weekend.

“She is excited with the progress we are making and is ready to keep working the next two weeks of practice before we play again,” DePompa said.

The Gauchos will resume their preseason schedule next week when they go up against Santa Ana College and Antelope Valley College on Nov. 5 and 6.