Tempe, AZ–Chelsey Holley had a walk-off single in the bottom of the eight inning to give the UC Riverside Softball Team its first win of the 2017 season, 6-5, over UTA at the Kajikawa Classic.

The Highlanders led 4-0 after three innings, thanks to RBIs from Haley Harris (2) and Holley. Freshman pitcher Haley Marschall kept the Mavericks off the board and limited them to four hits through four innings.

UTA responded with a run in both the fifth and sixth innings to make it a two-run game, 4-2.

In the top of the seventh, the Mavericks plated two more runs to tie the game at four apiece. UC Riverside would go down in order in the bottom of the frame, sending the game in to extra innings.

UTA scored the go-ahead run on a two out single, before Tayler Misfeldt, on in relief, got the third out on a pop-up.

Stephanie Tickemyer started out the eighth on second base via the international tie-break rule, and advanced to third on passed ball.

Maddy Richard then drew her third walk of the afternoon, before freshman Danielle Ortega laid down a bunt single to load the bases. Brittney Garcia flied out to center field; deep enough however to allow Tickemyer to score the tying run.

Holley stepped to the dish with one out, Ortega and Richard on second and third, and delivered a walk-off single to right field that gave Head Coach Nikki Palmer her first win at UC Riverside, 6-5.

"It was a good team win, and Chelsey came up big in an important situation.", said Coach Palmer. "The last inning was fun, and we learned a lot in the innings leading up to it."

Richard had a hit, scored two runs, and stole two bases in addition to her three walks. Holley and Ortega each had two hits, while Garcia had a hit, scored a run, drove in a run and drew a walk in the win.

In the first game of the day, the Highlanders were knocked off, 11-0, by #17 Utah.

The Highlanders will take on San Jose State Saturday morning at 11:15 am PT in their lone game of the day.