RIVERSIDE, Calif.—The UC Riverside Softball Team (18-13, 1-1) finally saw its program record win streak come to end Saturday afternoon, but the Highlanders would quickly bounce back to earn their first conference win as well, as the team split the Big West opening doubleheader with Cal Poly (7-25, 1-1). The Mustangs took game one of the series 4-1 before UCR claimed game two 3-2. 

GAME ONE
Both teams saw a jump start into the conference season as Cal Poly's Noa Yakir began the game with a homer to left field, and junior Emma Ramelot got the Highlanders going with a lead off of her own to tie.

Unfortunately, the first at-bat of the game for UCR would be the team's only scoring opportunity. Ramelot was the only player to notch multiple hits going 2-for-3. Freshman Nadia Witt and senior Amanda Lynch each collected a hit a piece representing the team's four hits.

Junior Jacy Boles got the nod in the Big West opener tossing four innings and allowing four earned runs, while striking out three. Freshman Megan Casper made a relief appearance pitching three shutout innings and gave up just two hits.

Cal Poly would take the game 4-1.

GAME TWO
The second game of the doubleheader belonged to junior Melanie Olmos who earned the start, got the win, adn even provided her own run support at the plate. The Highlander pitcher shutout the Mustangs for six straight innings and finished allowing just one earned run and four hits.

The Highlander bats got going in the third inning, where the team did all of its damage. 

Witt crossed home on heads up base-running to give her team the lead and Ortega followed her lead scoring on a error to make it 2-0. Olmos capped off the inning with a sac-fly, which would end up being the game-winning run.

The Mustangs threatened in the top of the seventh, scoring a pair of run, but Boles would enter and pick up the save retiring two straight batters.

The Mustangs and Highlanders will face off in a rubber match tomorrow at one.