The UCSB softball team (25-22, 8-9) posted a pair of victories over visiting UC Davis (21-29, 5-12) on Saturday afternoon in a Big West doubleheader at Campus Diamond. The Gauchos edged out the Aggies, 3-2 and 1-0.
In the first game of the day, freshman Krista Cobb tossed a complete game allowing just two earned runs on six hits with eight strikeouts. She improved to 17-8 on the season, setting a new school record for wins by a rookie pitcher. She is now just one win away from tying the program’s single season pitcher victories record.
Senior Christine Ramos led the Gauchos going 4-for-6 at the plate. The four hits brought her season total to 67, which broke her own single season program record set in 2007 with 66 hits. The second baseman already owns the career hits record with 275.
After Cobb struck out the first three batters during the first game, the Gaucho offense got rolling in the first inning. With one out, Jessica Ziegler hit a single up the middle. During the next at-bat, Tiffany Wright hit a home run over the left field fence, giving UCSB a 2-0 lead.
At the top of the second inning, Jessica Beristianos led off with a double down the left field line. She moved to third on a sacrifice bunt from Kelsey Anderson during the next at-bat. One out later, Jackie Conlin hit an RBI single up the middle stretching the Gaucho advantage to 3-0.
In the fourth, Kelly Harman hit a one-out single to left field before Sarah Axelson hit a double to left center field, putting two runners in scoring position for the Aggies. During the next at-bat, Erin Emde hit a two-RBI single to left field, cutting the Gaucho lead to 3-2.
UCSB preserved its lead as Cobb allowed just three more hits and a walk over the next three innings to hold on for the 3-2 victory.
Nicole Kociemba (0-1) took the loss for the Aggies after tossing two innings and allowing three earned runs on five hits. Jessica Hancock pitched four innings of relief and allowed just one hit while walking one and striking out three.
During the second game of the twin bill, Lindsey Correa (3-0) pitched a complete game shutout. The junior gave up just four hits while walking two and striking out one.
The teams fought through four and half scoreless innings before the Gauchos got on the board at the bottom of the fifth. Lainey DePompa led off with a single and was replaced at first by pinch runner, Mary Episcopo. During a failed pick-off attempt, UC Davis’ catcher, Rachel Miller, overthrew to first base, allowing Episcopo to reach second on the error. During the same play, first baseman Erin Emde entered the Aggie dugout prompting the umpire to allow Episcopo to advance to third due to a dead ball rule.
Conlin then hit her second RBI single of the day to center field, sending Episcopo home for the unearned run and giving UCSB a 1-0 advantage.
UC Davis managed a hit in each of the next two innings, but neither of the runners were able to come home as the Gauchos took the win.
Alex Holmes (8-17) took the loss after allowing just one unearned run on six hits. She walked one a struck out three.
This weekend’s series with the Aggies will conclude on Sunday at noon at Campus Diamond.
