The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos visited the California State University, Bakersfield Roadrunners for a Big West conference matchup. The Gauchos ultimately extended their win streak and are currently tied for first in the Big West conference. UC Santa Barbara swept the Roadrunners in a three-game series going 3-1, 7-6 and 10-6. 

Nexus FIle Photo

The Roadrunners scored early as junior pitcher Camryn Snyder gave up a solo home run in the 2nd inning. Snyder limited the damage, though, as that was the only run she gave up all game. Snyder held CSU Bakersfield scoreless from there, giving the Gauchos a chance to rebut.

The Gauchos came through for their pitcher as late-inning heroics were in full effect. With the Roadrunners only needing 3 more outs in the last inning to seal the game, UCSB pushed 3 runs across. 

With 2 outs, junior shortstop Madelyn McNally tied the game up at 1-1 with an RBI single. Then on a wild pitch, senior center fielder Sam Denehy scored to give the Gauchos their first lead. Junior catcher Ashley Donaldson added an insurance run as she hit an RBI single, scoring McNally. Snyder shut the door from there, giving the Gauchos the 3-1 win.

The Gauchos wasted no time in game two, as they pushed 2 runs across in the 1st inning to set the tone. Sophomore left fielder Alexa Sams reached on a fielder’s choice, scoring McNally. Freshman second baseman Jazzy Santos added on as she singled down the right field line, scoring Donaldson. 

The Gauchos added one more to the run column in the top of the 3rd inning as sophomore right fielder Lucy Mogan hit a sacrifice fly. The Roadrunners, in the bottom half of the inning, tied it up quickly as they strung together 3 hits and 2 walks to make it 3-3 after 3 innings of play. 

Both sides went back and forth in the 4th inning, as they both scored 2 runs in their respective halves of the inning. The Gauchos scored 2 runs off a Donaldson triple-scoring McNally, and then Sams followed up with a sacrifice fly to score Donaldson. 

CSU Bakersfield scored their 2 runs off one swing of the bat as the senior pitcher fell victim to the long ball. After 4 innings, the game remained tied. UCSB broke the tie again as Mogan doubled scoring one. Then freshman third baseman Bella Fuentes reached on an error, causing Mogan to score.

Snyder did allow 1 run in the 6th to make it 7-6, but she had no damage from there as she shut the Roadrunners down, giving herself her 10th win on the season and the Gauchos’ 21st win on the season. 

In game three, the Roadrunners were not looking to get swept as they pushed 3 runs across in the bottom of the 1st inning. From there, it was all Gauchos as they scored 10 unanswered runs. 

The Gauchos tied it in the top of the 3rd inning with a couple of RBI singles. Donaldson, Sams and senior first baseman Hannah Damore were all credited with RBIs, making it 3-3 after 3 innings.

The Gauchos then poured it on in the 5th, as they scored 7 runs to give themselves a 7-run lead. The Gauchos forced 2 errors in the top of the inning, as they also rallied to earn 6 hits and bat around. 

The Gauchos completed the sweep with the 10-6 win tying them with the California State University, Long Beach Elbees for first place in the Big West conference. 

Next week’s matchup looks to be a big one, as the Gauchos return home to host the Elbees. The series will consist of one doubleheader on Saturday, April 15, with the first pitch scheduled at noon. The series’ last game will be a single game on Sunday, April 16 at 1 p.m.