Riverside, Calif.— The UC Riverside Softball Team (26-16, 3-5) split its home conference opener Saturday afternoon with the CSUN Matadors (17-29, 2-6) as freshman Hailey Dolcini threw a no-hitter in game one that lead the Highlanders to a 6-0 win. The Matadors then retaliated with a 5-0 win in game two, making Sunday's game the series tie breaker.
"Dolcini had a great performance today and so did her teammates behind her," said Head Coach Nikki Palmer. "Our defense really helped keep her in it and it was a great team win."
GAME ONE
The first conference game played at Amy S. Harrison Field this season will be one to remember as pitcher Hailey Dolcini notched her first career no-hitter in a game where the score was tied until the bottom of the 6th inning. The freshman struck out two batters and only put four runners aboard on balls in her 11th win. After walking the lead off batter in the 4th inning, Dolcini retired the final 12 batters to close out the game.
"Dolcini still has so much potential to grow, she truly has a high ceiling," said Head Coach Nikki Palmer. "To see her continue to train hard and take care of program the way she does makes the future extremely bright for us."
This was the first no-hitter of the season for the Highlanders and their 12th shutout.
No hits were registered by either team until the bottom of the 5th inning and no runs were registered until the Highlanders went on a rally in the bottom of the 6th.
"One of the greatest things about this program is that we don't quit," Palmer said. "We play the game until the final out every time and it was nice to see us get those late-inning runs."
Senior Jenna Curtan lead off the inning for UCR with an infield single and junior Brittney Garcia and sophomore Sarah Parten would load the bases with back-to-back walks. With two outs, sophomore Emma Ramelot stepped to the plate and cleared the bases on a single to put the Highlanders up 3-0 and then came all the way around to 3rd on a Matador throwing error. UCR then reloaded the bases drawing two more walks, before Head Coach Palmer made the move to bring in junior Amanda Lynch to pinch hit. With a 1-1 count Lynch came through for her team breaking the game wide open on a 3 RBI single to right center that gave UCR a 6-0 lead.
"Lynch has been working really hard all week long," Palmer said. "She proved it in practice so its no surprise that she came and got it done in the game."
GAME TWO
Senior pitcher Tayler Misfeldt got the start in the second game of the doubleheader and had control in the circle through four innings allowing just one hit and recording six strikeouts.
The Matadors put their first runs of the series on the board late in the game scoring four in the 5th and one in the 6th to take a 5-0 lead.
UCR threatened in the bottom of the 5th as freshman Seanna Garewal drew a one-out walk and senior Jenae Lockwood followed with a single, but the Highladners were unable to bring the runners home.
Jenna Curtan grabbed two hits for the Highlanders in game two going 2-for-3 and a was a total 3-for-7 with a run on the day.
The Highlanders and Matadors are back in action for the rubber match tomorrow at 1:00PM. UCR is expecting a sell-out, record-breaking crowd at Amy S. Harrison Field and Rally Towels will be handed out.
