Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Riverside- The UC Riverside Softball Team split its two games Friday on the first day of the Highlander Classic. The Highlanders started the day with a 4-2 loss to Howard and ended on a high-note, beating UNC Greensboro 8-7.

In game one, the Highlanders were the first to strike as Karina Romero crossed the plate in the third inning off a grounder hit by Erika Campbell. The Bison would then score four runs over the fourth and fifth inning, leaving the Highlanders to battle back. Campbell would record her second RBI of the game, flying out to center field, allowing Romero to score for the final run for UCR.

It was a hitting frenzy in game two of the day as the Highlanders and the Spartas of UNC Greensboro combined for a total 25 hits, with UC Riverside logging 14. The Highlanders snapped an eight-game winning streak by the Spartans as freshman Rebecca Faulkner recorded her second win of the season.

Faulkner stepped into the circle in the top of the seventh inning with a 6-4 lead, taking over for Tayler Misfeldt. With one pitch the tables turned as UNCG's Lacey Leary hammered a three-run homer to put the Spartan's ahead 7-6 going into the bottom of the seventh.

Leading off in the seventh was Natalie Sanchez, who got things started with a single through the left side. Next up, Taylor Wright, doubled to right field, moving Shylene Helms, the pinch runner for Sanchez, all the way over to third. A sacrifice fly ball hit into left field by Stephanie Tickemyer scored the tying run. That brought Jenna Curtan to the plate, hitting a single and moving Wright to third. The Spartans decided to intentionally walk Romero in the hopes of getting the easy out at home and preventing the winning run.

Getting the call to the plate for her first appearance this weekend was freshman Chelsey Holley. Holley was solid from the batter's box, singling to centerfield, bringing in Wright to end the game.

Day two of the Highlander Classic will begin at 9 am PT as Loyola Marymount takes on UNC Greensboro. The Highlanders will play in the final game of the day against Howard at 2 pm PT.