Softball Scores Six In First Inning Before Losing Slugfest To Pacific, 9-8

Saturday, April 7

Riverside, CA

12:00 pm

UC Riverside

18-20, 0

Pacific

24-13, 0

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Pacific	0	4	0	2	1	2	0	9	12	4
UC Riverside	6	0	1	0	1	0	0	8	8	2

Photo by: Gabriel L. Acosta

Softball Scores Six In First Inning Before Losing Slugfest To Pacific, 9-8

4/7/2012 10:57:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

Box Score - Pacific 9, UC Riverside 8

Watch the video recap of the series

Riverside, CA - The UC Riverside softball team lost a slugfest to Pacific on Saturday afternoon, 9-8, as the Tigers swept the season series at Amy S. Harrison Field in Big West Conference action.

UC Riverside (18-20, 1-5) had a monster first inning, scoring six runs on four hits and two Tigers errors. Kayla White led off the frame with a walk, and moved to second on Ariel Shore's single up the middle. Alexis Pickett then laced a shot down the left field line, plating White for the 1-0 lead.

Jessica Vasser hit UCR's third straight single as Shore came around to score. Brittany Keeney then reached on a fielder's choice, and as Pickett was running home, Pacific catcher Amy Moore dropped the ball and Pickett was called safe at the plate for the 3-0 lead.

After an out, Dionne Anderson hit a shot into the outfield, recording a double as two runners came around to score. Anderson then stole third, and a throwing error by Moore allowed her to reach home as the Highlanders went up 6-0.

Pacific (24-13, 4-2) continued the slugfest, responding to the Highlanders six-spot by scoring four runs of their own in the top of the second.

UCR pitcher Taylor Alvarez gave up three hits and issued three walks as the Tigers closed the gap to 6-4. That gave way to Jordyn McDonald in the circle, who was able to get out of the inning without another run coming home.

UC Riverside got one run back in the third, putting together a two-out rally as McDonald singled up the middle scoring Yesenia Duenas from second for a 7-4 advantage.

Pacific responded with two runs of its own in the fourth, as Kelsey Rodriguez hit a leadoff home run, and a batter later, Nicole Matson also homered, making it a 7-6 ballgame.

The Tigers evened the score the next inning, as Megan Hom singled with two outs, and Megan Fogelsong doubled to drive in the run. However, Fogelsong was called for interference, ending the inning tied at 7-7.

The Highlanders went on top in their respective half inning, as Duenas singled with one out and was sacrificed over to second. She then stole third, and scored on a throwing error by Tigers second baseman.

However, Pacific again responded, as Matson hit her second home run of the day, a two-RBI shot over the left field fence lifting the Tigers to a 9-8 lead.

UCR got a runner at third in the sixth, but could not advance her plateward. The Tigers then loaded the bases in the top of the seventh, but McDonald got out of the jam unscathed.

The Highlanders were down to their last three outs entering the bottom of the seventh, abd were retired in order as Pacific held on for the 9-8 comeback.

Tigers relief pitcher Dani Bonnet was credited with the win in the circle, while McDonald picked up the loss for UCR.

The Highlanders now continue Big West play with a three-game series against UC Santa Barbara beginning next Saturday, April 14 at 12:00 pm at Amy S. Harrison Field in Riverside.