The UC Santa Barbara Softball team took a 3-0 lead in the first inning and never surrendered the advantage on the way to a 4-1 victory over the UC San Diego on Monday.
With the win the Gauchos have won their first two series against Big West opponents.
“When you go out and score in the first inning, especially putting up a three spot it puts a lot of pressure on your opponent,” UCSB head coach Jo Evans said. “Scoring early made all the difference, it kept us being the aggressor in the game.”
The Gauchos got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with three runs in the bottom of the first inning.
The inning was highlighted by a two-RBI double from Alana Snow. Prior to the Snow double, Madelyn McNally came around to score on a passed ball by the Triton catcher.
The Gauchos then lost some of their lead in the fourth inning after the Tritons cut it to 3-1. UC Santa Barbara scored once on an RBI single off the bat of McNally, which brought the score to 4-1 in favor of the Gauchos.
The score remained 4-1 for the rest of the game, as UCSB held on for the win.
Senior Camryn Snyder got the win for the Gauchos. The right-hander went seven innings, giving up one run on nine hits, allowing three walks and striking out one.
Offensively, the Gauchos were led by senior Alana Snow, who went 1-for-3 on the day with a double and two RBI. Senior Madelyn McNally put together a noteworthy day at the dish as well, going 2-for-3 with an RBI.
Freshman Ainsley Waddell also chipped in for UC Santa Barbara, putting together two hits in three trips to the plate while adding a double.
The complete game was Snyder’s third of the season. The senior also lowered her ERA by 0.50 with the one-run complete game.
Ashley Donaldson has increased her batting average by 60 points after recording at least one hit in seven of the Gauchos’ past eight games.
Alana Snow continues to be productive in the middle of the lineup now having driven in at least one run in three of the past four games for UC Santa Barbara.
The Gauchos will host non-conference opponent Fresno State on Wednesday, March 27 as they wrap up their homestand. The first pitch will be at 2 p.m.
For those unable to attend in person the game will be streamed through ESPN+ with live stats available.