FULLERTON, Calif. – Cal State Fullerton softball dropped their series finale, 14-5, to UC Santa Barbara. The Titans stand 16-12 overall and 3-3 in Big West play. 

The Gauchos grabbed an early 5-0 lead in the first three innings, capitalizing on four hits and two errors. 

Ava Arce (3-for-4, R) started the offensive production for the Titans in the bottom of the second, sparking a rally with a single to center field. Alexia Lopez and Colby McClinton both reached on a fielder's choice before Sarah Coccillos (2-for-4, 2 RBI) drove in Lopez on a single to left field. KK Christie's sacrifice fly to center field drove in Fullerton's second run, closing their deficit to 5-2. 

In the third inning, the Titans loaded the bases with back-to-back hits and a walk. Coccillos took advantage of this opportunity, driving in Arce with an infield single to third base to bring the game within two runs, 5-3. 

The Gauchos extended their lead in the fifth inning, plating three runs on two hits. UC Santa Barbara added two runs on a home run to left field in the sixth, extending their lead to 10-3.

In the bottom half of the sixth frame, with two outs, the Titans gained momentum scoring a run on a single down the left field line by Lopez (3-for-4, R, RBI). The Titans cut UC Santa Barbara's lead to 10-5, scoring Maggie Paulovich on a Gauchos throwing error. 

UC Santa Barbara plated four more runs in the seventh inning on three hits. The Titans went down in order in the bottom of the seventh, falling to the Gauchos, 14-5. This marked the first time the Titans have been swept since 2023 against Long Beach State (May 12-13). 

Trisha McCleskey (1.2 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 2 ER) started the game, going an inning before re-entering in the seventh inning with one out on the board. Eva Hurtado (3.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB) and Leanna Garcia (2.0 IP, 4 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 2 K) issued four walks each, while Garcia collected the two strikeouts for the Titans. 

The Titans resume conference play in San Luis Obispo against Cal Poly on March 22-23. They will return to Anderson Family Field on Friday, March 28 to host the University of Hawaii. 

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