Rebecca Nielsen-Robbins gave the Santa Barbara softball team a lead against Channel League-leading Buena with a third inning home run, but the Bulldogs came back in the end to take the 4-3 decision.
Neilsen-Robbins also pitched a complete game for the Dons and struck out four in the process. Her home run came off Buena’s freshman rifler Hannah Roberg, who tallied 10 strikeouts.
Sarah Leads knocked in Santa Barbara’s second run on a base hit that scored Erica Singer. Leads then plated the Dons’ third run when a ball hit by Rachel Hunter was bobbled, allowing the second baseman to score.
Buena defeated Santa Barbara 17-0 the last time the two teams met, so head coach Becky Penrose said the result was a good confidence boost with five league games left on the schedule.
But first the Dons travel to face Channel Islands in the final game of the Pacfic View Tournament on Wednesday.
BUENA 4, SANTA BARBARA 3
SB 001 002 0 – 4 3 2
Buena 003 01 0X – 3 7 5
Neilsen-Robbins, Sheila Lopez. B – Hannah Roberg, Tooley. 2B – SB Giles. HR – SB Neilsen Robbins (3rd inning, none on). Records – SB 7-10, 0-7. Buena 12-7, 8-1.
