San Luis Obispo, Calif.— The UC Riverside Softball Team (25-11, 2-0) blanked Cal Poly (16-15, 0-2) in a doubleheader on the road Friday afternoon to open up Big West play winning game one 3-0 and game two 1-0. This is the first time since 2012 that the Highlanders have taken a conference series on the 1st day of competition.
Coming into Today's events, the Mustangs had only been shutout once this season, a 13-0 loss to No. 5 UCLA opening weekend.
GAME ONE
The first game of the Cal Poly series marked the 10th shutout of the season for UCR as the Highlanders blanked the Mustangs 3-0. It was also the 14th win of the season for pitcher Tayler Misfeldt and the 51st of her career.
The senior had an excellent outing from the circle pitching a complete game shutout and only allowing five hits and two walks, while striking out five. With the Highlanders snagging two double-plays, Misfeldt got her 21 outs and only faced 26 batters.
UCR took a 1-0 lead in the top of the 3rd on a two-out RBI single from sophomore Sarah Parten. The first baseman took a 1-0 pitch to left center to bring junior Hannah Rodriguez around from 2nd and put the Highlanders up 1-0.
Insurance runs would come in the top of the 7th for UCR as the team strung together three hits to score two. Rodriguez hit an RBI single to center bringing in senior Jenna Curtan and would come around for her 2nd run of the day on an RBI double from Parten to seal the game at 3-0.
Sarah Parten was an offensive force in the conference opener going 4-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Rodriguez added two hits, two runs, and an RBI and freshman Raena Robinson went 2-for-3.
GAME TWO
The second portion of the doubleheader was an outing for freshman Hailey Dolicni (10-3) who shutout the Mustangs through 6.2 innings allowing just seven hits, three walks, and added four strikeouts. Misfeldt would come in for the final out to grab the save.
The only run of the game came in the top of the 4th where the Highlanders scored on a walk drawn by sophomore Emma Ramelot with the bases loaded. UCR kicked off the inning with three straight singles from Rodriguez, Parten, and junior Brittney Garcia.
Cal Poly threatened to tie the game in the bottom of the 6th with two runners on, but Curtan gunned out a runner at home from center field to end the inning and tame the Mustangs.
UCR is back in action tomorrow for the final game of the series with Cal Poly at 1:00 PM.
