SAN JOSE – The UCSB softball team (9-16) snapped its four-game losing streak with a pair of wins on Saturday, the second day of the Santa Clara Bronco Classic, which is being played at the San Jose State Spartan Softball Stadium.
The Gauchos downed St. Mary’s, 7-1, before defeating host Santa Clara, 3-1, in the following game.
UCSB used a big third inning to top the Gaels (6-12) in the first game of the day. The Gauchos had gotten on the scoreboard first when Lainey DePompa hit a two-out RBI single to drive home McKenzie Kane, who had reached base on balls before stealing second.
At the top of the third, St. Mary’s evened the score when a fielding error at second base allowed Elizabeth Slaughter to score.
A Gael error at the bottom of the third let Jessica Soria reach with one out before Kane singled to put two runners on. Allison Taylor followed with an infield base hit, loading the bases. DePompa once again gave the Gauchos the advantage when she hit a two RBI single to center field.
DeJanee Moore drew a walk to once again load the bases before Kathryn Pilpil hit a single to center field. A misplay by the Gael center fielder following the hit allowed two more UCSB runners to come home. Keilani Jennings grounded out to the shortstop during the next at-bat, sending Moore home. The Gaels attempted to throw Pilpil out at third on the same play, but the first baseman overthrew, giving her time to dash home for the Gauchos’ seventh run.
DePompa led the Gauchos in the win going 2-for-2 with three RBI and a run scored. In the circle, Shelby Wisdom tossed the complete game. She allowed just one unearned run on four hits. She did not allow a walk and struck out six.
UCSB faced Santa Clara (3-20) in its second game and once again grabbed the initial lead. At the top of the fifth inning with two outs, Kane hit an infield single before stealing second. Taylor followed with a double to right center field, driving the sophomore home.
At the bottom of the sixth, the Broncos tied the game up when Briana Knight scored Stephanie Fisher with an RBI double hit to left center field.
The deadlock was short lived though. With one out at the top of the seventh, Kane laid down a bunt and then advanced to second base when the catcher botched the throw to first.
Taylor once again drove Kane home when she hit her second double of the game, this time to center field. Taylor moved to third on a wild pitch setting the stage for DePompa’s fourth RBI of the day on a sacrifice fly hit to center field.
Kane led the team going 3-for-4 with two runs. For the day, she was 4-for-6 with four runs, two stolen bases and a walk.
Wisdom (6-7) picked up her second win of the day after tossing 4.1 innings of relief. She allowed one run on three hits. She walked two and struck out seven. Andriana Collins tossed the first 2.2 innings and allowed two hits, one walk and struck out one.
UCSB will wrap up this weekend’s action with a pair of games on Sunday. The Gauchos will face St. Mary’s at 10 a.m. and Santa Clara at 12:15 p.m.
