Baseball Travels to San Jose State for Three-Game Series

RIVERSIDE, Calif.—After five games at home, the UC Riverside Baseball team will make its first road trip of the season, heading to San Jose State for a three-game series that begins on Friday.

It marks the first time the two schools have played each other since 2002. UCR (1-4) is 2-1 all-time vs. Spartans. The Highlanders lost three of four games to Nebraska to begin the season and took a 5-1 loss to Loyola Marymount on Wednesday.

Riley Ohl will start Friday's game, while left-hander Shamus Lyons gets the nod on Saturday and right-hander Jeremiah Priddy will take the hill in the series finale on Sunday.

Ohl tossed five innings against Nebraska in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader, allowing three runs on seven hits, while striking out five for the win.

Lyons pitched in the night cap of Saturday's doubleheader, allowing four runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings of work. He also struck out five batters, but took the loss.

Priddy finished out the weekend against Nebraska, going the deepest of any starter. He tossed 6 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits, while striking out seven batters in the loss.

"Priddy was one of the best highlights of the weekend," head coach Troy Percival said after his outing. "He stepped up and really bulldogged it when we needed it the most."

Nick Kafer has stood out so far at the plate. In five games, he has five hits, including a double and a home run, and leads the team with six RBIs.

One of the biggest problems for the Highlanders to begin the season is their inability to hit with runners in scoring position. So far, the team is hitting just .213.