UC Riverside Softball Relinquishes Early Lead In 4-2 Loss To Titans

Sunday, April 10

Riverside, CA

12:00 PM

UC Riverside

Cal State Fullerton

Photo by: Gabriel L. Acosta

UC Riverside Softball Relinquishes Early Lead In 4-2 Loss To Titans

4/10/2011 10:54:19 AM | Softball

Watch the recap video

Box Score - Cal State Fullerton 4, UC Riverside 1

Riverside, CA - The UC Riverside softball team relinquished an early 1-0 lead dropping the series to Cal State Fullerton 4-2 on Sunday afternoon at Amy S. Harrison Field. The Highlanders (9-22, 2-4) won game one of the three-game series on Saturday before falling in games two and three.

With one out in the first inning, singles by Ariel Shore, Kameryn Hebenton, and Brittany Keeney loaded the bases for the Highlanders. UCR was unable to bring any runs across, however, as two consecutive outs stranded the runners and ended the inning.

The Highlanders did get on board two innings later, though, as Hebenton hit a solo home run over the left field fence to give UCR a 1-0 lead. This was Hebenton's second home run in as many days, as she belted one over the right field fence in the first game of the series on Saturday.

Cal State Fullerton (15-17, 4-2) scored the equalizer in the fifth, and added the game-winning runs in the sixth.

Nicole Johnson led off the sixth for CSF with a single, and came around to score on Tish Dedeaux's single. Ariel Tsuchiyama then hit a home run to put the Titans up 4-1.

The Highlanders made things interesting in the bottom of the sixth, with the bases loaded and just one out.

Keeney led off the frame with a walk, and advanced to second after Jessica Vasser's single up the middle. Both runners moved up a base after Taylor Thomas sacrificed them over, and Brooke Hebenton drew a walk to put the winning run at the plate.

Nicole Carter got the call to pinch hit for Alexis Pickett, but unfortunately hit into a double play to end the inning.

UC Riverside had one last chance to even up the score in the seventh inning. With two outs and Shore on first base, Kameryn Hebenton hit a shot off the wall in the outfield, bringing home Shore. Keeney then grounded out to the pitcher, ending the inning and the game as the Titans held on for the 4-2 win.

Katey Laban earned the win for Cal State Fullerton, pitching the last three innings. Jordyn McDonald took the loss for UCR, pitching all seven innings of work.

The Highlanders continue Big West play with a three-game road series at UC Santa Barbara beginning Saturday, April 16 at 12:00 pm in Santa Barbara, CA.