Softball 3/1/2019 7:14:00 PM

Softball Slides on Day One of UCR Classic

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 RIVERSIDE, Calif.—The Highlanders had a tough outing on day one of the UCR Classic Friday afternoon as the UC Riverside Softball Team dropped a doubleheader featuring UTEP and Sacramento State. UCR battled to take the lead in game one, but would fall 8-7 to the Miners before dropping a 5-0 matchup to the Hornets.

UTEP
The Miners got out to quick lead in the mid-day game scoring a run in both the second and third frames to take a 2-0 lead, but the Highlanders were quick to respond tallying seven runs in the next two innings.

In the bottom of the third, junior Brittney Garcia stepped to the plate with runners on the corners and blasted a double to left center to send freshman Karissa Arnold home for the first run of the day. Junior Melanie Olmos followed up with a single down the right field line bringing in both runners to give UCR a 3-2 lead.

An inning later in the fourth frame, the Highlander bats would get going again collecting five hits and another four runs to extend their lead 7-2. Freshman Nadia Witt and junior Danielle Ortega each collected RBI singles and junior Emma Ramelot crushed a two RBI double to the gap in right center.

The Miners would then add six in the final three innings to take the game 8-7.

Junior Jacy Boles had a strong outing getting the start for UCR and only allowing two runs on five hits in four innings pitched. Boles also added a game high six strikeouts.

On the offensive end, Ortega saw a perfect afternoon going 4-for-4 with a run and an RBI.

SACRAMENTO STATE
The matchup with the Hornets was a different story as the UCR offense struggled at the plate collecting just three hits, all of which were collected by veterans in Ramelot, Garcia, and senior Amanda Lynch.

After falling behind 4-0, freshman Megan Casper would enter the circle in the fourth inning to close out the game with a strong pitching performance. The Highlander rookie allowed just an unearned run on four hits through four innings, managing the game and quieting the Hornet bats.

UCR threatened in the bottom of the six with bases loaded and two, but could not could not execute stranding the runners where they stood in an opportune moment.

The Highlanders will look to bounce back in day two of the tournament. Weather permitting, UCR is set for a rematch with Sacramento State.