Davis, Calif.— The UC Riverside Softball Team (27-19, 4-8) dropped UC Davis (24-17, 6-6) 3-2 Sunday afternoon in the final matchup of the three-game series. The Highlanders kept the Aggies scoreless and hitless through four innings with a strong defensive effort and another solid outing from freshman pitcher Hailey Dolcini (12-7) who picked up her 12
th win of the season. This win also marked Head Coach Nikki Palmer's 100
th career win and 60
th as a Highlander.
The Highlanders got off to a quick start offensively getting hits and baserunners aboard in each of the first two innings. In the top of the 2
nd, UCR got on scoreboard as freshman Seanna Garewal drove in freshman Raena Robinson, who was pinch-running for senior Chelsey Holley, from 2nd on an RBI single to right-field on the first pitch she saw.
UCR added two more runs in the top of the 5
th to take a 3-0 lead. Garewal lead off the inning singling down the right line and was then driven home on an RBI double from senior Jenna Curtan. With that two-bagger Curtan tied the all-time program doubles record with the 36
th of her career. The senior was then moved to 3rd on a bunt from sophomore Danielle Ortega and would tag and score on a sac-fly from junior Hannah Rodriguez.
The Aggies added runs in the 5
th and the 7
th, but fell short.
Garewal and Curtan grabbed all of the hits on the day for the Highlanders as the freshman left-fielder went 2-for-3 with a run, an RBI, and a stolen base and the senior center-fielder went 2-for-3 with a double, a run, and an RBI.
Defensively, Hailey Dolcini got the job done for UCR throwing a complete game and giving up just three hits, three walks and one earned run, while striking out four. The freshman had a no-hitter going through four innings against Aggies.
The Highlanders will now head home to Amy S. Harrison Field for another three-game conference series. UCR plays host to Hawaii (20-21, 4-8) in a single game this Friday at 3:00 PM and a Saturday doubleheader starting at 1:00 PM. The Rainbow Wahine come to California on a five game skid in Big West play.