The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos softball team begins Big West play this weekend with a three-game series against UC San Diego, starting Saturday, March 7 and continuing Sunday, March 8. The Gauchos will then host Notre Dame on Wednesday, March 11.
Recent Success
The Gauchos come into the weekend following a successful showing at the UC Santa Barbara Tournament at Campus Diamond. They won all three games against the LIU Sharks and took two of three from the Iowa State Cyclones. Following the tournament, Dani Rauscher was named The Big West Freshman of the Week after batting .429 with three RBIs and two runs scored.
Scouting the Opponents
UC San Diego enters the series with a 10-10 overall record, but is currently on a nine-game losing streak and has not yet won an away game. Sophomore Marley Espiau leads the Tritons with a .383 batting average and 23 hits, while sophomore transfer Maalia Cherry leads the team with five home runs. UC San Diego is currently fourth in The Big West.
Notre Dame, with a 7-12 record, is on an eight-game losing streak and will compete in the USD/SDSU Tournament before facing the Gauchos. Junior Sydny Poeck leads the Fighting Irish with a .400 batting average.
The Gauchos’ games against UC San Diego will be played on Saturday afternoon and Sunday at 1 pm. The Wednesday game against Notre Dame is scheduled for 12 pm. All games will be streamed on ESPN+ with live stats available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Dani Rauscher’s batting average during the UC Santa Barbara Tournament?
Dani Rauscher batted .429 during the UC Santa Barbara Tournament.
How many home runs does Maalia Cherry have for UC San Diego?
Maalia Cherry has five home runs for UC San Diego.
What is Sydny Poeck’s current batting average for Notre Dame?
Sydny Poeck is currently hitting .400 for Notre Dame.
As the Gauchos begin Big West competition, what impact do you think a strong start could have on their overall season?
