Fresno, Calif.— After more than a week off from action, UC Riverside (10-9) will take on Fresno State (13-10) this Tuesday in the Highlanders' final game prior to the start of conference play later this week. The game is set to begin at 6:00 p.m. at Pete Beiden Field and will be streamed live by
Mountain West Network.
| Highlanders vs. Bulldogs
|
|
UC Riverside |
Fresno State |
| Stats |
10-9 |
13-10 |
|
Schedule |
Schedule |
|
Roster |
Roster |
| Streak |
W1 |
L1 |
| Leaders |
| ERA |
Jared Morton
0.53 ERA |
Isaiah Davis
1.29 ERA |
| B/avg |
Colby Schultz
.351 |
Zach Ashford
.395 |
| RBI |
Connor Cannon
13 RBI |
Carter Bins
18 RBI |
| History |
| Record vs. |
|
0-0 |
| Streak |
|
N/A |
NEVADA RECAP
Weather forced the Highlanders to wait until Sunday to face off against Nevada, but after falling 3-0 in Sunday's series opener, they would close out the weekend with a decisive 9-2 win. UCR put up six runs in the top of the sixth for their highest scoring inning of the season, half of which came off a triple by junior Justin Mannens.
COOL COLBY
2017 All-Big West Second Team selection Colby Schultz is off to a fine start in his senior season, currently sitting fifth in batting average (.351) and tied for eighth in the Big West in both hits (26) and runs (16). The senior has multiple hits in eight of his 19 outings and is the only Highlander to have three runs in a game, doing it twice. Schultz also leads the Highlanders in assists (49) and is tied for the team-lead with senior second baseman Cody Sporrer in double plays (10).
HOLDING DOWN THE MOUND
Right-handed pitcher Cole Percival (3-1) has gotten out to a fantastic start to his freshman campaign. He has pitched more innings (31.2) than any other Highlander, leading the way in wins (3) and opposing batting average (.188) and sitting second on the team in strikeouts (22). His team-leading 2.27 ERA also ranks fourth in the Big West.
Percival impressed many in his first career start on the mound, leading the Highlanders to an 8-1 victory over Nebraska in just under six innings pitched. He struck out eight batters, giving up just one hit, one run, and a meager .056 opposing batting average.
THE DEAN
Outfielder Dean Miller has been a key player for the Highlanders in his first year with the team, ranking second on the team in hits (22) and total bases (28), and ranking second on the team in RBI (12). Miller also leads the team with 11 walks and is tied with Schultz for the team-lead in on base percentage (.422).
NO RUN ZONE
Right-handed pitcher Jared Morton has a 1-0 record and a team-leading 0.53 ERA in 17.0 innings pitched this year. The senior is also third in the Big West in saves (4). The Highlanders have won the last five games he has appeared in, and are 8-2 this season when he has stepped onto the mound.
THE CANNON STRIKES
Connor Cannon currently leads UC Riverside in home runs (3) and RBI (13), marks which are tied for 4th and 13th in the conference. Cannon also owns two of UCR's three 3-RBI performances this season. That includes the Highlanders' 8-1 season-opening win over WSU, when the sophomore tallied a career-high five RBI, most coming on his first ever grand slam in the bottom of the seventh.
OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION
UC Riverside hit .472 as a team against Valparaiso on Mar. 7, exploding for season-highs of 14 runs and 17 hits. It was the most hits for the Highlanders since recording 18 against Long Beach State on Apr. 23, 2016.
Seven different Highlanders finished with multiple runs or RBI. Senior shortstop Colby Schultz finished 3-of-5 for 2 RBI, and had his second three-run game in his last five outings. Sophomore Connor Cannon finished with a team-high 3 RBI.
STREAKERS
The Highlanders won four straight games from Mar. 6 - Mar. 11 for their longest win streak so far this season. It was UCR's first four-game win streak since opening the 2017 season with a 4-0 record.
BIG WEST BEGINS
Following Tuesday's game at Fresno State, the Highlanders will be home for their next seven outings. They will open their 2018 Big West campaign this Thursday-Saturday against UC Davis, before hosting CSUN the following weekend.
