Gauchos Journey to Arizona as Non-Convention Rolls On

PHOENIX, Ariz.  – Following a 1-4 displaying on the Silicon Valley Classic, The UC Santa Barbara softballt eam will journey to compete within the Purple Classic, hosted by Grand Canyon University. The Gauchos will play 5 video games throughout 3 days, main off with a double header on Friday Feb. 20.

LAST TIME OUT

The Gauchos break up the primary day of the Silicon Valley Classic with a loss to Illinois State and a dominating win towards San Jose State. The Gauchos then dropped the following 3 to the likes of Cal, Santa Clara, and Utah, to finish the match. The Gauchos head into this weekend with a 2-10 document. 

SCOUTING THE TOREROS

The Toreros began their 2026 marketing campaign on the UC Davis Tournament, the place they completed 3-2. San Diego then traveled dwelling to compete of their co-hosted match with UCSD, wherein the Toreros completed with a 2-2 document, bringing their season whole to 5-4 as they head to Phoenix. 

Michelle Delgado and Kaitlyn Wynia lead the staff offensively, hitting .492 and .385, respectively. Taylor Johnson leads the staff with two dwelling runs by means of the primary 9 video games.  

From the circle, Charlie Johnson leads the staff in ERA, posting a 1.64 throughout 21.1 inning pitched, Johnson has solely allowed 16 hits and has recorded eight strikeouts. 

SCOUTING THE GRIZZLIES

The Griz opened their season on the UCSD La Jolla invitational, the place they walked away with a 3-2 begin very similar to the Toreros. The Griz then competed within the Troy Cox Classic / Dr. Diana Natalicio Memorial Tournament, the place the staff concluded with a 1-3 document after beginning the match off with a 17-0 loss towards no.4 ranked Oklahoma. Heading into the Purple Classic, the staff sit at 4-6 on the season.

Offensively, the staff is propelled by Mackenzie Bekofsky and Ana Cockhill, hitting .393 and .382, and recording 5 dwelling runs between the 2. Cockhill leads the staff in RBI’s, recording 12 within the first ten video games of the season. 

Defensively, Cameryn Ortega leads with an ERA of 4.40 in 20.2 innings pitched, Ortega has additionally recorded 17 strikeouts. In 20.2 innings pitched, Kaiana Kong has an ERA of 6.10 and has recorded 13 strikeouts. 

SCOUTING THE OSPREYS

The 11-1 Ospreys are at the moment in the most effective begin to a season in program historical past. The Ospreys started in a dominating win over Auburn adopted by a 4-1 document on the River City Leadoff, and an undefeated document on the UNF-JU invitational. The Ospreys are coming off a 2025 marketing campaign that landed them their first ASUN title, and a visit to the NCAA match.

Bella Cimino and Addie Keef prepared the ground, batting .433 and .429, respectively. Cimino has 9 RBI’s and one Homerun on the season. Keef has 15 hits and 4 RBI’s on the season. Grace Shaw leads the staff with 12 RBI’s. 

ASUN Pitcher of the week Cameron Ponich, is tied for having the most effective ERA within the nation at 0.00 by means of 17.2 innings. She is adopted up by Kate Peters with a 0.89 ERA by means of 15.2 innings. Through 12 video games the Ospreys have solely allowed 18 runs by their opponents. 

SCOUTING THE LOPES

Grand Canyon enters the Purple Classic with an ideal 10-0 document. Similarly to the Ospreys, the lopes are in the course of their greatest begin in program historical past. The Lopes swept their opponents on the GCU Kickoff Classic and the GCU Invite. The lopes stay at their dwelling stadium for the third weekend in a row. 

Offensively, the Lopes are led by Addison Shifflett and Jada Cooper, batting .438 and .435, respectively. Shifflet is coming off a Mountain West Freshman of the Week honoree. Alina Satcher leads the staff in RBI’s with 12 while additionally batting .389. 

Taryn Batterton joins Ponich with a 0.00 ERA and tied for greatest ERA within the nation. Batterton has pitched 20.2 innings and recorded 23 strikeouts. Oakley Vickers is shut behind with a 1.45 ERA by means of 19.1 innings and 21 strikeouts to her title. 

FOLLOWING ALONG

UC Santa Barbara video games towards Grand Canyon University might be on the Mountain West Network, and all different video games can have stay stats obtainable.