May 14, 2004

Box Score

Santa Barbara, Calif. - One run in the bottom of the third inning proved to be all that the UC Santa Barbara softball would need as it cruised to a 7-0 Big West Conference victory over Cal State Fullerton, moving within one game of second place entering tomorrow's regular season finale doubleheader. Freshman Jennifer Davis (15-14) threw her fourth one-hit, and ninth overall, shutout of the season to improve the Gauchos to 13-6 in the Big West and 31-28 overall.

With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the third inning, designated player Lindsey Herrin drew her team-leading 22nd walk of the season, plating freshman catcher Shelby Hensler who reached base on a bunt single that went over the head of Titan first baseman Tiffany Hoff. CSF pitcher Brooke Weekley (13-17) then forced second baseman Brittany Putich into an inning-ending double-play, limiting UCSB to just one run after loading the bases with no outs to start the inning.

Following the one-run third, the Gauchos tacked on three runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to put the game out of reach. Junior Katie Oliver got Santa Barbara rolling with a two-RBI double to the gap in right center with one out in the fourth. Sophomore Karyna Wilkerson rounded out the Gauchos' scoring by crossing the plate on a passed ball with two outs in the fifth. Wilkerson had originally reached base on a bunt attempt that CSF catcher Jennifer Holt threw away at first.

With thirteen total bases on the day, UCSB set a new school record for total bases in a season by running its season total to 510, breaking the mark of 507 set by last year's team. Freshman Kendra Singley also set new school record with four walks on the day, single per game statistics have been recorded, no other Gaucho has walked more than three times in a game.

Davis finished the day with eight strikeouts, one hit allowed and no runs scored to post her fifth win in her last six decisions. In her last 39 2/3 innings pitched she has allowed just one earned run and given up only 15 hits while striking out 55.

Leslie Simien, Jessica Hejna, Hensler, and Putich each collected two hits on the day to lead UCSB, while Hejna led the scoring with two runs scored. Simien also stole to bases to bring her career total to 117, one shy of 24th all-time in NCAA history, she now also only needs two hits to tie the Gauchos' single-season hit record of 59.

UCSB and Cal State Fullerton will conclude the three-game series to closeout the regular season with a doubleheader tomorrow, May 15, starting at 12 noon. If the Gauchos sweep tomorrow's doubleheader they will automatically claim second place in the Big West.