Riverside—The UC Santa Barbara Baseball Team showed why it is ranked in the top ten in the nation Thursday evening as they scored nine runs in the top of the first before the Highlanders were able to record an out en route to a 20-2 victory.

UC Riverside (13-40, 2-20) needed three pitchers to get out of the first inning as starter Antonio Gonzales (0-3) faced just four batters, walking three and hitting one, and Jesus Gonzalez faced five, walking a pair and allowing three hits. Jordan Kron allowed an RBI double which made it 9-0 Gauchos before recording the first three outs of the game.

That was more than enough for UCSB starter Domenic Mazza (6-1), who was starting in place of potential number one draft pick Dillon Tate. The Gauchos opted to rest Tate as Santa Barbara prepares for the NCAA Tournament. Mazza scattered seven hits over his eight innings of work, allowing single runs in the third and fifth while striking out four.

UCSB's (40-12-1, 16-6) offense didn't let up plating one run in the second, third and fourth, before adding five in the sixth and three in the seventh.

Gauchos' lead-off hitter Andrew Calica drove in six runs on the night, while Luke Swenson and Clay Fisher each added four RBis. Swenson was a perfect five for five at the plate, and also scored three runs.

Mark Contreras was the lone member of the Highlanders to enjoy a multi-hit game as he went two-for-four with an RBI.

UC Riverside and UC Santa Barbara play game two of their three-game Big West Conference series beginning Friday at 6 pm PT.