The UC Santa Barbara Softball team has caught fire toward the back end of its season, winning seven of its last 10 games. Two of these wins came from big conference games against California State University, Northridge Matadors this past weekend. 

The Gauchos finish their season with a 20-28 overall record and a 14-13 conference record. Nina Timofeyeva / Daily Nexus

In UCSB’s first game against California State University, Northridge (CSUN) they were slightly outmatched, resulting in a 3-4 loss. 

The Gauchos were down 1-0 in the fourth inning when they managed to get on the scoreboard. UCSB scored two runs in that inning, highlighted by an RBI triple from senior outfielder Alana Snow. The Matadors later tied the game at 2-2 before the Gauchos regained their lead in the sixth inning. Santa Barbara added a run with an RBI single from Snow, making the score 3-2 in their favor. 

However, the Gauchos couldn’t maintain their lead, as CSUN scored twice in the top of the seventh, ultimately leading them to victory.

Senior pitcher Camryn Snyder started on the mound for the Gauchos, pitching seven innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits, and striking out three. 

Offensively, the Gauchos were led by Snow, who went 2-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs. 

In the Gauchos’ second game, they bounced back and secured a 4-3 win over the Matadors.

The Gauchos wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, putting up three runs in the bottom of the first inning, all with two outs. Junior outfielder Alexa Sams got things started with a two-RBI single, followed by an RBI single from junior utility Elicia Acosta, giving the Gauchos an early 3-0 lead. 

CSUN responded in the fourth inning, tying the game at 3-3 with a two-out RBI double. Both teams were then held scoreless for the next two innings. In the bottom of the seventh, after retiring the Matadors in order, UCSB secured the win with a walk-off RBI single from sophomore outfielder Jazzy Santos.

Sophomore pitcher Malaya Johnson started in the circle for the Gauchos and earned the win. The right-hander pitched seven innings, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out three.

To end out the series, the Gauchos collected another win dominating the Matadors 12-8. 

The Gauchos, initially down 1-0, scored three runs in the first inning with Santos driving in two runs with a double. After the Matadors tied it at 3-3, the Gauchos took a 9-3 lead in the third inning, highlighted by an RBI single from senior infielder Madelyn McNally. 

CSUN closed the gap to 9-8, but UCSB extended its lead to 10-8 in the fifth with a leadoff home run by Acosta. In the next inning, the Gauchos added two more runs with an RBI triple from Sams, securing a 12-8 win. 

Johnson earned the win, pitching 3.2 scoreless innings with five hits and two strikeouts. Freshman pitcher Ainsley Waddell went 2-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs. Sams had a standout performance, going 3-for-4 with a double, a triple and four RBIs. Acosta also contributed with two hits, including a home run and 2 RBIs.

Following their series against CSUN, the Gauchos ended their season with a 20-28 overall record and 14-13 conference record. 

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