IRVINE, Calif.— The UC Riverside Baseball Team (18-29) fell 12-2 to UC Irvine Friday night in the opener of a three-game conference series. The Highlanders had a solid offensive outing collecting nine hits, but could not capitalize leaving 10 runners on base.

The Anteaters got out to a quick lead scoring nine in the first three innings and although the Highlanders answered with two of their own in the 6th, UCI grabbed three more in the last three innings to secure the win.

In the top of the 6th, sophomore Connor Cannon lead off with a double to center and junior Yeager Taylor got on base with a walk. Junior Matt Hardy then got UCR on the scoreboard scoring both runners on a single up the middle.

The Highlanders put in a true team effort spreading their nine hits among six different players. Cannon was a bright spot on the day for UCR going 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Freshman Dylan Orick added a 2-for-4 performance.

UCR will be back in action tomorrow at Anteater Ballpark at 2:00 PM for game two.