Bakersfield, CA—The UC Riverside Baseball Team took both ends of a twin bill from CSU Bakersfield on Saturday winning the first game, 7-3, (read story) and the second game, 8-4.

The Highlanders (7-9) jumped out on top early thanks to a Casey Worden RBI ground out in the top of the first that scored Vince Fernandez.

The Roadrunners (4-10) tied things up in the bottom half of the inning taking advantage of a lead off walk to Drew Seelman, who scored on a sacrifice fly by Max Carter.

That was the only run that UC Riverside starter Austin Sodders (1-2) would allow, as he went six innings, scattered four hits and struck out seven. By the time he left the game, the Highlanders led 8-1, getting an RBI triple from Colby Schultz in the second, and a Worden sac fly in the third.

UC Riverside broke the game open in the top of the sixth sending 10 men to the plate and scoring five runs. Drake Zarate drove in two with an RBI triple, while Vince Fernandez brought one home with a double, and Worden plated his third RBI of the day with a single. The Highlanders final run of the inning came on a wild pitch.

UCR Head Coach Troy Percival turned the game over to his bullpen in the seventh. Matt Ellis started the bottom of the seventh, and struggled a bit with his control. walking two batters, and giving up an RBI single to Mahlik Jones. The Runners touched him for a single and an RBI double in the eighth, before Ellis gave way to Alex Fagalde. 

Fagalde gave up an RBI double to the first batter he faced to make it an 8-4 game, but he kept CSUB off the board the rest of the way to close out the win.

The Highlanders and Roadrunners finish their three-game series Sunday beginning at 1 pm PT.