Riverside, Calif.— The UC Riverside Softball Team (22-9) split a pair of games on the final day of the Highlander Invitational falling 2-1 to Texas Tech (20-10) and then bouncing back with a 2-1 win of its own over Idaho State (3-17).
Senior catcher Jenae Lockwood led the way offensively for the Highlanders registering the only RBIs of the day on a solo shot in the first game and a 2 RBI single in the second game that gave UCR the lead and the win.
TEXAS TECH
UCR got on the board early as Jenae Lockwood blasted her 2nd homerun of the season over the wall in left-center to give the Highlanders a 1-0 lead.
In the top of the 3rd, the Red Raiders would hit a homerun of their own and score on a UCR error to take the lead.
Reigning Big West Pitcher of the Week, freshman Hailey Dolcini, was called to the circle in the 4th inning and got her team out of a jam despite walking into a no-out situation with a runner aboard. After walking one batter, the freshman settled in and retired the next three straight. She would go on to finish the game retiring nine of the ten batters she faced, allowing just one hit to the Red Raiders.
"Dolcini is really getting her legs underneath her and is thriving in her freshman campaign under coach Megan Lagenfeld," Head Coach Nikki Palmer said. "We are excited about the way she compliments our staff."
Although the Highlanders held strong defensively, Texas Tech held on to its 2-1 lead to take the win.
IDAHO STATE
The matchup with the Bengals was another pitchers duel as Tayler Misfeldt got the start and allowed no hits through three innings. The senior pitcher shut out Idaho State through the 4th and only allowed one earned run and two hits in 4 innings. Dolcini would again make a relief appearance to close out the final three innings striking out four and picking up the win.
The Highlanders found themselves down 1-0 late in the game, but answered with a successful sixth inning.
With 2 outs already registered, sophomore Sarah Parten drew a four-pitch walk to get aboard. Junior second baseman Brittney Garcia was next up doubling to left center to put two Highlanders in scoring position. Lockwood would then step to the plate to complete the two-out rally with single into shallow right field that brought in two runs and gave UCR the lead.
"It was only a matter of time before Jenae came up big for us," Palmer said. "She works really hard in and outside of practice so it's no surprise that she stepped up this weekend."
The Highlanders closed out the top of the 7th on two Dolcini strikeouts and highlight play by Lockwood who gunned out a Bengal runner attempting to steal 3rd base.
UC Riverside will now prepare for a three-game series at home with the University of San Diego next weekend.
"We are looking forward to having a solid three-game series to prepare us for the Big West," said Palmer. "As always we will be taking it one game at a time."
The Highlanders will face the Toreros in a doubleheader on Saturday, starting at 1:00 PM at Amy S. Harrison Field in Riverside, CA.
