RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Three quick Cal Poly runs proved to be enough on Thursday night, as UC Riverside fell at home to the Mustangs 4-2 in the final series-opener of the season.

The Mustangs (28-27, 13-9) were hot out of the gates, taking the lead after just two at bats as Alex McKenna's lead-off double was followed by an RBI triple by Kyle Marinconz. After a pair of outs, two more Cal Poly hits would make it 3-0 before the Highlanders' offense took the field.

UCR's first hit of the day came from senior shortstop Colby Schultz in the bottom of the first. Schultz was one of two Highlanders' on the night with two hits, going 2-of-4.

After Cal Poly similarly put up a hit with no runs in the second, the Highlanders would punch back with two runs in the bottom half of the inning. Tony Gudino got things started with a single through the right side. Gudino (2-for-3) would go on to join Schultz as the only Highlanders with multiple hits on the night.

Following a Nathan Webb pop up, Dean Miller would strike with a double to right center, putting Gudino on third. Cole Pofek would then single to shortstop, but both runners remained in the same spot, loading the bases.

Still with just one out on the board, senior second baseman Cody Sporrer knocked a single to left center, bringing home both Gudino and Miller to make it 3-2 in favor of the visitors.

After posting five hits through two innings, UCR would go on to double its hit total by the end of the night, but was unable to tack on another run. A run from Cal Poly's Elijah Skipps in the top of the third would be the last of the day.

Over the final six innings, the Highlanders' bullpen combined to throw seven strikeouts, giving up just two hits and no runs.

Game two is set to begin on Friday at 6:00 p.m. at The Plex.