IRVINE, Calif.— After trailing 3-1 in the 9th, the UC Riverside Baseball Team (19-30, 7-14) came in clutch tying the game with two runs, but ultimately fell 4-3 in the final matchup of the series with UC Irvine (31-22, 7-14).

The first seven innings were quiet for both teams as freshman Cole Percival got the start for the Highlanders and only allowed one run on five hits in six innings of work. 

UCR took an early lead as junior Yeager Taylor continued his hot streak at the plate driving in sophomore Connor Cannon on an RBI single up the middle to put his team up 1-0. The Anteaters answered just two innings later with a run of their own to tie the game.

The two teams remained even until the bottom of the 8th where UCI put UCR in a tight spot taking a 3-1 lead with just three outs to go. With their backs against the wall, the Highlanders would rise to the occasion icing the game with two runs of their own.

Junior Anthony Lepre lead off the 9th with a double to left center and freshman Cole Pofek put runners on the corners with a single to center. Freshman Nathan Webb then stepped to the plate and came through for the Highlanders roping a 2 RBI double to left center tying the game at 3-3.

UCR recorded one out in the bottom of the 9th, but the Anteaters would take the game and the series scoring a runner from 3rd on a single.

The Highlanders shared the load offensively Sunday afternoon as seven different players collected the team's seven hits and four of those hitters registered doubles.

UCR returns home this Thursday for the final series of the regular season as the Highlanders will host conference foe Cal Poly. This series will also mark Senior Weekend for UC Riverside.