Riverside, Calif. — Friday afternoon the UC Riverside Softball Team (8-4) won its first matchup of the Amy S. Harrison Classic defeating New Mexico (2-10) 9-1 in six innings. The Highlanders had another strong defensive outing as senior pitcher Tayler Misfeldt broke a personal record in the circle, striking out 13 batters.

Misfeldt picked up her 42nd career win against the Lobos extending her all-time program record, in a game where she allowed one run and three hits. She struck out 13 of the 19 batters she faced, breaking a previous high of 11 (2016), and 8 of those 13 batters went out swinging. The senior pitcher was dominant from the very beginning as she struck out the side in the top of the 1st.

The Highlanders got the bats going early as they put two runs on the board in the 1st inning. Senior outfielder Jenna Curtan roped a double to left-center in the leadoff position for UCR. Sophomore shortstop Emma Ramelot would advance Curtan with a single and steal 2nd base during the next at-bat. A sac fly from junior infielder Brittney Garcia would be deep enough to bring in Curtan on a tag up and move Ramelot to 3rd. The Highlanders would go up 2-0 after senior infielder Jenae Lockwood scored Ramelot on a fielder's choice.

The Lobos would score their only run of the game in the 2nd inning as Chelsea Johnson homered to cut the lead 2-1.

The top of the lineup would come around again in the 2nd as Ramelot hit a stand-up triple that drove in Karter Williams from 1st base, extending the UCR lead 3-1.

In the bottom of the 4th, Garcia would earn her 2nd RBI of the day drawing a walk with the bases loaded. Sophomore Sarah Parten would follow with 2 RBIs of her own smacking a double that drove in two Highlanders. UCR would head to the 5th up 6-1.

The Highlanders ended the game in the 6th inning in walk-off fashion as Parten picked up her 2nd double of the day, and her 3rd RBI, driving in freshman Seanna Garewal. Following the double, Head Coach Nikki Palmer got some speed on the base paths as she entered freshman Raena Robinson as a pinch-runner for Parten. The substitution would pay off during the very next at-bat, as Lockwood hit a game-ending double that allowed Robinson to race around 3rd and touch home, giving the Highlanders a 9-1 victory.

Saturday marks Day 2 of the Amy S. Harrison Classic, where the Highlanders will face off with George Washington (5-2) at 2:00 PM at Amy S. Harrison Field. The Colonials have already won 2 games in the tournament defeating New Mexico 8-3 and Montana 2-1.