Sami Demyon Fielding 2019
1
Cal Poly CP 7-26, 1-2 Big West
3
Winner UC Riverside UCR 19-13, 2-1 Big West
Cal Poly CP
7-26, 1-2 Big West
1
Final
3
UC Riverside UCR
19-13, 2-1 Big West
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Cal Poly CP 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 1
UC Riverside UCR 0 0 3 0 0 0 X 3 7 0

W: Casper, Megan (5-2) L: Casper, Dakota (1-4) S: Boles, Jacy (3)

Game Recap: Softball |

Softball Takes First Big West Series; Tops Cal Poly 3-1 in Game Three

RIVERSIDE, Calif.—The UC Riverside Softball Team (19-13, 2-1) closed out the first Big West series of the year on top taking a 3-1 win over Cal Poly (7-26, 1-2) in the Sunday afternoon rubber match. The Highlanders have now won 15 of their last 16 games and have bested the Mustangs for two straight seasons.

Both wins of the series were hard fought battles, as Cal Poly threatened late in each, but the UCR defense was able to limit the visiting Mustangs and hang on for the win.

"We are prepared for moments like these so I think these wins show a lot of character," Head Coach Nikki Palmer said. "We played a tough schedule this season to challenge us and make sure we come out on top of situations like this."

UC Riverside's defensive efforts would come by way of committee in game three of the series as freshman Megan Casper earned the start and the win and Jacy Boles came in for her second save of the weekend. Casper tossed three hitless innings and Boles allowed just one earned and two hits, while striking out five in four innings.

"Our pitching staff is very team oriented so it's always great to see them contribute to a good team win," Palmer said. "At the end of the day they're all happy if the team is succeeding." 

The Highlanders broke the scoreless tie in the third inning loading the bases wth the top of their lineup. Junior first baseman Melanie Olmos stepped to the plate notching a bloop single to bring the first run home, and junior Danielle Ortega would find the plate as well scoring on a error in left. Senior Amanda Lynch was next up sending a sac-fly to right field to take the lead 3-0.

The Mustangs would cut the lead in the fifth frame with a solo shot, but could not find home plate again as the Highlanders hung on to take the game 3-1.

Juniors Ortega and Emma Ramelot were true standouts in the conference opener posting potent averages of .500 and .444, respectively. Olmos added two RBI over the weekend.

UC Riverside will remain at home next weekend to face Long Beach State in a three-game series.