Tempe, AZ- The UC Riverside Softball Team picked up its first win of the season at the Kajikawa Classic over Creighton, 5-2, in seven innings.

The Highlanders split on day one, falling to Northwestern in the first game of the day, 15-3, in five innings, before bouncing back to grab a win in the second game.

UC Riverside wasted little time getting on the board against Creighton, as Jenna Curtan got hit by a pitch to lead off the game and Madeline Richard singled through the left side to bring her home. Richard then stole second, before Haley Harris brought her in with a single to left field, staking the Highlanders to a 2-0 lead.  

In the third, Creighton's first two batters reached base, via a walk and hit by pitch. Tayler Misfeldt would settle in and retire the next two hitters. The Blue jays then got a two-out single that scored two runs to even the score.

In the top of the seventh with score still tied 2-2, the first two Highlanders hitters failed to reach base. Madeline Richard then reached on an error by the pitcher to keep the inning alive.  Natalie Sanchez singled, followed by a Haley Harris infield hit that loaded the bases. Chelsey Holley then came to the plate and launched a bases clearing double to center, putting the Highlanders ahead, 5-2.

Misfeldt closed out the seventh for the complete game victory, going seven strong innings, while striking out a career-high nine hitters.

In game one of the day, Northwestern broke the game open with a seven run second inning, spoiling Tayler Misfeldt's first start as the ace of the staff. She allowed six runs, five earned, before being relieved by Kaylynn Pierce.

UCR responded with two runs in the home half of the second, thanks to a Jenna Curtan two-run homer to center field. The Wildcats would continue to swing hot bats, as they followed up the seven run second with a six run third to lead, 15-2.

The Highlanders would tack on a run in the third inning for the game's final score, as both teams went scoreless in the fourth and fifth innings resulting a 15-3 season opening loss.

UC Riverside will be back in action Saturday, February 13 in day two of the Kajikawa Classic taking on East Carolina at 4 pm PT.