The UCSB softball team (13-11) put a halt to its four-game losing skid on Wednesday with a pair of shutout wins over San Diego (3-16) during the Gauchos’ home opener at Campus Diamond. UCSB posted a 2-0 win over the Toreros before defeating USD, 8-0, in a mercy-rule victory during the latter half of the two-game series.
At the bottom of the second inning during game one, senior Jackie Conlin hit her first career double to left field with one out. Freshman Lainey DePompa grounded out to the shortstop during the next at-bat, allowing Conlin to advance to third. A single to left center field by sophomore Katie McWhirter brought Conlin home for the first run of the game.
The score remained at 1-0 until the bottom of the fourth inning. Once again it was Conlin who got things rolling, this time with a one-out single to left field. A bunt single from DePompa moved Conlin to second and she then moved to third when the Torero catcher committed an error. With two runners on and one out, McWhirter tallied her second RBI single of the game, this time to second base, giving the Gauchos a 2-0 advantage.
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
San Diego managed just two hits across the remaining three innings as UCSB held on for the win.
In the circle, MeLinda Matsumoto improved to 2-4 on the season. She tossed the complete game and allowed seven hits. She walked one and struck out three.
At the plate, Conlin was 2-for-3 with a double and two runs and McWhirter went 2-for-2 with two RBI.
Jennifer Ellenbeck (1-9) took the loss for the Toreros. She allowed two earned runs on seven hits. She struck out three and did not allow a walk. Cathy Wineinger led USD, going 2-for-2 at the plate.
In game two, UCSB got on the board early. Christine Ramoswas hit by a pitch during the first at-bat for the Gauchos and she then stole second. A single to left field by Tiffany Wright one out later pushed Ramos to third and during the same play, an error by the Torero shortstop allowed Ramos to come home and Wright to reach second. Jessica Beristianos followed with a RBI double to right center field, stretching the Gaucho lead to 2-0.
At the bottom of the third, Amanda Ziegler hit a RBI single with two outs, driving her sister home and giving UCSB a 3-0 advantage.
The Gauchos added two more runs during the next inning. DePompa, McWhirter and J. Ziegler each posted singles to load the bases with two outs. A single to center field from Wright brought DePompa and McWhirter home.
Santa Barbara poured on two more runs at the bottom of the fifth when Ramos singled with two outs and two runners on-base. McWhirter scored and then Episcopo followed with an unearned run after the left fielder bobbled the ball on the play.
With a 7-0 advantage at the bottom of the sixth, Beristianos hit a double with one out. One out later, Conlin doubled to left field, sending Beristianos across home plate and earning the mercy win for the Gauchos.
Krista Cobb (7-3) was solid in the circle for UCSB. She tossed six innings and allowed just three hits and one walk while striking out a season-high nine batters.
At the plate, four Gauchos posted multiple hits, including Wright, who went 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run. Conlin went 2-for-4 with one RBI and her second double of the day and her career.
Katie Jo Nelson (0-5) took the loss for San Diego after giving up five earned runs off of nine hits in 3.2 innings of work. She walked one and struck out one. Lindsay Fleet led the Toreros with a 2-for-2 showing at the plate.
UCSB will take a break from action over the next week and a half as the Gauchos complete their finals. Santa Barbara will be back in action on Tuesday, Mar. 24 when they travel to UCLA for a nonconference doubleheader with the Bruins.
