RIVERSIDE, Calif. – UC Riverside matched Long Beach State in hits for the first time on Sunday afternoon, but a late Highlander surge came up just one short as the Dirtbags won, 5-4, in the final game of the weekend.
A first inning three-run homer proved to be the difference for LBSU (21-26, 7-8), forcing UCR (16-26, 5-10) to play catch-up the rest of the way.
The Highlanders nearly erased a four-run deficit with three unanswered in the final two innings. That was highlighted by a two-run homer by senior shortstop Colby Schultz in the eighth. Freshman Brenden Avventino, who had doubled down the right field line on the previous at bat, was brought home for his third run during conference play, making the score 5-3. The home run was the third of the year for Schultz.
After junior left handed pitcher Hazahel Quijada retired LBSU's first three batters in the ninth, the Highlanders opened their final offensive inning strong with a hard-struck single towards third base by sophomore Connor Cannon. Cannon went 2-of-4 now has a hit in five straight games, finishing this weekend's series with team-highs of six hits, three RBI and two home runs.
Freshman Ari Gerber would enter as a pinch runner for Cannon, and thanks to some sloppy play from the Dirtbags would advance to third on a wild pitch and passed ball. Following a Tony Gudino walk, the Highlanders would come within one run of tying things, as Dean Miller earned a sac fly RBI to right field, springing Gerber home from third.
Another passed ball would put the potential tying run in Skyler De Los Reyes on second, after the sophomore had entered as a pinch runner for Miller Gudino. Unfortunately for UCR, AJ Sawyer's final at bat facing two outs would result in a pop up towards right field, ending the game at 5-4.
Redshrit sophomore right hander Trenton Toplikar (4-3) recorded six strikeouts for the fifth time this season, doing well to keep the Highlanders in the game through seven innings of pitching.
Sunday's loss also marked the first weekend sweep of the season for the Highlanders, who will have just one more home series in 2018, from May 24-26 against Cal Poly. UCR will have a day off before its next competition at San Diego this Tuesday, May 6.
