| Game 10: No. 1 seed Cal State Fullerton 1, No. 3 seed UC Santa Barbara |
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CSF Presser | UCSB Presser |
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FULLERTON, Calif. — No. 1 Cal State Fullerton defeated No. 3 UC Santa Barbara by a score of 1-0 to capture the 2026 Big West Softball Championship in Game 10 from Anderson Family Field on the campus of Cal State Fullerton. The Titans secured their first-ever postseaon Big West Softball Championship title behind a dominant defensive performance and a complete-game shutout in the circle.
Cal State Fullerton manufactured the game’s lone run in the third inning and never relinquished control in the tightly contested championship matchup. The Titans finished with five hits, while limiting the Gauchos to just two hits across seven innings. Both teams created scoring opportunities throughout the afternoon, but Fullerton’s defense came through in key moments, including a double play that helped preserve the shutout victory.
Leanna Garcia starred for the Titans in the circle, throwing a complete-game shutout while allowing only two hits and striking out one batter over seven innings. Garcia worked through three walks and delivered 104 pitches in the championship-clinching performance. Alexia Lopez led Cal State Fullerton offensively with two hits, including a double, while Colby McClinton recorded a hit and scored the game-winning run. Sarah Perez and Jenica Silvas also contributed hits for the Titans, while Ava Arce anchored the defense with 11 putouts at first base.
Malaya Johnson kept UC Santa Barbara within striking distance throughout the contest, allowing just one unearned run over six innings while giving up five hits. Emily Carr and Delaina Ma'ae accounted for the Gauchos’ two hits, while Tehya Banks added three assists defensively at shortstop. Dani Rauscher also made an impact defensively with six putouts in center field.
With the win, Cal State Fullerton claimed the 2026 Big West Softball Championship trophy and improved to 40-13 overall, while UC Santa Barbara concluded its season with a 31-26 record.
The 2026 NCAA Division I Softball Tournament Selection Show will air on Sunday, May 10, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT) on ESPN2. The one-hour special will reveal the 64-team bracket, including 31 automatic qualifiers and 33 at-large selections, determining the field for the 2026 Women's College World Series.
The Big West named its 2026 All-Tournament team below
Arce Ava, INF, Cal State Fullerton
Kate Barnett, P, Long Beach State
Bella Fuentes, INF, UC Santa Barbara
Eva Hurtado, P, Cal State Fullerton
Priscilla Iniguez, INF, Long Beach State
Brooklyn Lee, C, Long Beach State
Trisha McCleskey, P, Cal State Fullerton
Colby McClinton, INF, Cal State Fullerton
Giselle Mejia, OF, UC Santa Barbara
Carys Murakami, INF, Hawai'i
Sarah Perez, INF, Cal State Fullerton
Nina Sepulveda, INF, Long Beach State
Ainsley Waddell, DP/P, UC Santa Barbara
Gallery: (5-9-2026) 26 SB: No. 1 CSF vs No. 3 UCSB