Riverside, Calif.- The UC Riverside Softball Team (21-8) was edged out 4-3 by Purdue (6-19) in the first game of the Highlander Invitational Friday afternoon. This loss ended a six-game win streak for the Highlanders that dated back to last Friday.

The Boilermakers got on the board first taking a 2-0 lead in the top of the 2nd.

UCR would tie the game in the next inning capitalizing on a pair of Purdue errors. Senior Jenna Curtan got it going for the Highlanders with a one out single. Freshman Seanna Garewal would then hit a single of her own moving Curtan to 3rd base, but a fielding error by the Boilermakers allowed the UCR center fielder to score and moved Garewal to 2nd. With two outs, junior Brittney Garcia reached on an error that scored Garewal from 3rd and tied the game at 2-2.

In the bottom of the 4th inning, the Highlanders would take their first lead on another Purdue miscue. Sophomore Emma Ramelot  singled and advanced to 2nd bringing sophomore Karter Williams to the plate, who advanced her teammate on a sacrifice bunt. Curtan would then reach on an error by the shortstop allowing Ramelot to score and give UCR a 3-2 lead.

Purdue would regain the lead in the 6th inning scoring a pair of runs, due to Highlander errors, that would give the Boilermakers a 4-3 win.

Curtan was a bright spot on the day for the Highlanders going 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run.

UCR is back in action this Sunday to wrap up the Highlander Invitational with afternoon matchups against Texas Tech and Idaho State. The game with the Red Raiders is set for 11:30 AM at Amy S. Harrison Field.