Box Score Fresno, CA—The UC Riverside Baseball Team nearly worked its late-inning magic once again Sunday afternoon, as Yeager Taylor clubbed a three-run homer in the top of the ninth to tie the score at five.

Unfortunately, Taylor was called out for passing Cabe Peters on the basepaths, as Peters returned to first to tag up in case the ball didn't make it out of the yard. The two-run home run pulled the Highlanders to within one at 5-4, but Fresno State recorded the final out, holding on for the victory.

Daniel Martinez got the first start of his collegiate career for the Highlanders, and he gave UC Riverside (4-2) three strong innings, scattering four hits and allowing one earned run.

Angel Landazuri took over on the mound in the top of the fourth, and he wasn't as fortunate. The senior right-hander worked a scoreless first frame, and in the top of the fifth, the Highlanders' offense handed him a 2-1 lead. Cody Sporrer struck the big blow with a triple to left center which scored Taylor and Peters.

Landazuri retired the side in order in the Bulldogs' half of the fifth, but in the sixth, they touched him for four hits and three runs to take a 4-2 lead. Fresno State tacked on another run in the sixth, but left the bases loaded as Jacob Worrell retired the final two batters of the inning.

Trailing 5-2 heading into the top of the ninth, the Highlanders took aim at Bulldogs relief pitcher Dominic Topoozian, who was on for his third inning of work.

Freshman Connor Cannon began the frame with a single through the left side, and advanced to second when Peters was hit by a pitch. Taylor worked a full count, and turned on the sixth pitch of the at bat, depositing it just over the right center field wall for what the Highlanders thought was a game-tying blast.

Adam Medrano picked up the win for Fresno State while Landazuri was saddled with the loss.

The Highlanders remain on the road this week traveling to UNLV for a pair of games on Tuesday, February 28 at 6:05 pm PT, and Wednesday, March 1 at 2:05 pm.