Baseball to Compete Against Cal Baptist in Crosstown Showdown

RIVERSIDE, Calif.—Take a look at the UC Riverside Baseball roster and you'll quickly have one observation. The team has a ton of student-athletes who are from Riverside.

That brings an interesting dynamic into this weekend's three-game series against Cal Baptist in the Crosstown Showdown, which begins on Friday at 6 p.m. at the Riverside Sports Complex.

"Both teams have so many local kids that they all want to play against each other," head coach Troy Percival said. "Some of these guys are best friends. Kevin West and Connor Cannon are super close with a bunch of their guys. I coached their second baseman Luke Navigato. It is a local rivalry."

The Highlanders (3-6) shook off a walk-off loss to San Jose State on Sunday and came back to beat a talented Grand Canyon team on Tuesday in a 5-3 win.

Much of that had to do with Cannon. Back from injury, he's been an important piece in the middle of the lineup that the team can now depend on.

He threw two innings in Tuesday's game, allowing one run on two hits, and also went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored. It marked the third straight games he's had two hits.

"Now that we have Connor back, our dugout feels like we always have a chance to win," Percival said. "We don't feel like we are out of a game."

Shamus Lyons will get the nod in Game 1, while Jeremiah Priddy gets the start in Game 2 at the Plex on Sunday at 1p.m. When the team travels to CBU for the nightcap of the doubleheader, Kevin West will take the hill.

Lyons and Priddy have shown their ability to go deep into games so far this season, something that has been incredibly valuable with Percival going to his bullpen early and often.

In Lyons' last outing against San Jose State, he went 7 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits. In two starts this season, Priddy has gone at least five innings in both. He tossed 5 2/3 innings against San Jose State, allowing two runs on seven hits.

CBU comes into the series 9-0 to begin the season. All of its wins have been at home. The Lancers are coming off of a four-game weekend series against Ohio University.