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Riverside, CA — The UC Riverside Softball Team (3-3) defeated San Diego State (1-6) 4-1 in the Highlanders' home opener Wednesday afternoon. After another stellar performance in the circle by pitcher Tayler Misfeldt, the senior picked up her 40th career win, which ties the UCR all-time record.
"I was very proud of the team today and the way they played together," said Head Coach Nikki Palmer. "We were very offensive minded and we got the job done 1-through-9."
UCR jumped out to an early lead in its first home game as the Highlanders strung together a two-out rally in the bottom of the 1st inning. Lead-off hitter, senior center fielder Jenna Curtan, fought off a 2-2 count to draw a walk and get aboard for UCR.
Two outs later, junior second baseman Brittney Garcia would double down the left field line to bring Curtan to third. With two on, sophomore Sarah Parten singled through the right side to bring her teammates home and take a 2-0 lead.
The Highlanders added to their lead in the bottom of the 2nd as they again got the lead-off batter aboard. Sophomore right fielder, Danielle Ortega, reached on an infield single and then made her way to 3rd base on a sacrifice bunt by freshman Seanna Garewal.
Curtan would bring Ortega in with a single to left center to give UCR a 3-0 lead. The Highlanders would end the inning with another run scored as Garcia brought in Curtan from third on a sacrifice fly, putting UCR ahead 4-0.
SDSU got 2 of its 5 hits in the top of the 5th inning as a single brought lead-off hitter Taylor Stewart aboard. She would score on a double by Iesha Hill to cut UCR's lead 4-1.
Misfeldt turned in another complete game giving up just 1 run, 5 hits, and 1 walk to the visiting Aztecs, while striking out 6. The senior pitcher had a hot start from the circle as she retired the first 8 batters that stepped to the plate and struck out the side in the 2nd inning.
She now holds a 3-1 record on the season after picking up her 40th career win and is tied for the all-time UCR record in wins.
"[Misfeldt] got us off to another strong start," Palmer said. "She did a great job of staying consistent and getting the outs when we needed them by trusting the players behind her."
The Highlanders will be back in action this weekend as they head to Cathedral City, CA to compete in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic. The team's first matchup will be against Army this Saturday at 10 AM.
