The UC Santa Barbara softball team defeated UC Davis 3-0, thanks to strong pitching and effective hitting. The duo of pitchers, Waddell and Johnson, combined for a shutout while the offense was highlighted by Ella Myers, who drove in two runs with timely hits. Waddell struck out three over four innings, enabling the Gauchos to maintain control, while Johnson secured her first save with six strikeouts in three innings of relief. This win salvaged the series for the Gauchos, who currently rank third in the Big West standings.

By the Numbers
  • Waddell pitched four innings, allowing four hits and striking out three.
  • Johnson pitched three scoreless innings, recording six strikeouts and allowing three hits.
  • Ella Myers contributed two runs batted in with a solo home run and a single.
Yes, But

Despite the victory, UC Santa Barbara's overall performance in the series against UC Davis fell short, going 1-2 and dropping them one position in the conference standings.

State of Play
  • UC Santa Barbara is now 17-7 in conference play and ranked third in the Big West.
  • They are just one game behind second-place Hawai'i following their series loss.
What's Next

The Gauchos will conclude their regular season next weekend, facing Cal State Fullerton in a three-game series. This includes a doubleheader on May 1 and a single game on May 2.

Bottom Line

Maintaining strong pitching and consistent hitting will be crucial for UC Santa Barbara as they aim to improve their standings ahead of the postseason. The upcoming series against Cal State Fullerton will be critical for their championship aspirations.