by EL PASO – UTEP Softball (2-2) put up a valiant fight in game one of Sunday’s doubleheader against UC Santa Barbara (5-1) but came up just short in a 10-9 thriller at Helen of Troy Softball Complex. The Miners then struggled to keep pace in game two, as UCSB’s offensive surge led to a 12-1 loss in five innings.
GAME 1 | UCSB 10, UTEP 9
The opening game saw an intense back-and-forth battle, with both teams putting on an offensive showcase. The Gauchos struck early, plating three runs in the first inning, but UTEP responded in the bottom half with a run of its own.
UTEP found momentum in the middle innings, led by Kenna Carranza’s two-run home run in the fifth that tied the game at 6-6. Serenity Jacoway also had a standout performance, going 4-for-4 with a double, a triple, and two RBIs.
Despite the Miners’ resilience, UCSB’s power hitting proved to be the difference. Home runs from Ainsley Waddell, Bella Fuentes, Emily Carr, and Delaina Ma’ae helped the Gauchos stay in control. A solo shot by Ma’ae in the seventh inning proved to be the game-winner, and the Miners’ last rally attempt fell just short.
UCSB’s Malaya Johnson (3-0) secured the win in relief, while UTEP’s Taja Felder (1-1) took the loss.
GAME 2 | UCSB 12, UTEP 1 (5 Innings)
UCSB carried its offensive momentum into game two, breaking the contest open with a nine-run fourth inning. The Miners briefly held a 1-0 lead after Lynne Sepulveda doubled and later scored in the second inning, but the Gauchos’ bats quickly took over.
A two-RBI single from Ainsley Waddell and a bases-clearing double from Alexa Sams fueled UCSB’s fourth-inning outburst. Lucy Mogan capped the scoring with a two-run homer in the fifth.
UTEP’s offense was limited to six hits in game two, with Ajia Richard collecting three of them. Grace Luderer (1-1) earned the win for UCSB, allowing just one unearned run over five innings, while Audrey Gallegos (1-1) took the loss for the Miners.
