Softball Set to Host UC Davis in Competitive Series

RIVERSIDE, Calif.—A clash between two of the Big West's top teams is set for this weekend at Amy S. Harrison Field as the UC Riverside Softball Team (23-16, 5-4) hosts a tough competitor in UC Davis (31-8, 6-3). The Aggies currently rank third in the conference after three weeks of play and the Highlanders sit just one game back in fourth, so a chance for UCR to rise in the standings is theirs for the taking in this three game series.

UC Davis came into to conference with just five total losses, but the Big West is a tough place to compete, and the Aggies have felt that fire nearly matching their loss-count from the non-conference season. So far they have taken each of their series, but have been bested once by each team they faced in CSUN, UCSB, and Cal Poly.

UC DAVIS SERIES SCHEDULE
Game 1 - Friday, April 19th @ 3PM
Game 2 - Saturday, April 20th @ 11AM
Game 3 - Saturday, April 20th @ 1PM

MEL THROWING WELL
Junior pitcher Melanie Olmos has been on a tear as of late collecting three wins in her last four starts including a big win over Cal Poly and a pair of victories at CSUN. In conference play, she has posted an ERA of 2.01, which ranks eighth in the Big West and her three wins sit at third.

ON THE ATTACK
UC Riverside has performed well at the plate this year at the Highlanders' .278 team batting average ranks third in the Big West and their .366 team OBP is goof for second. The team has also put runs on the board in 33 of its 38 games.

D-MONEY
Junior outfielder Danielle Ortega has been incredible with the bat in her junior year as her .389 batting average leads the team and ranks fifth in the Big West. She also leads the team with an incredible .496 OBP, getting on base nearly half of time, which is good for third in conference. Her seven stolen bases rank fifth.

BOLES IN THE CIRCLE
Junior Jacy Boles has already put together a career season this year posting a 10-5 record, a team best 3.58 ERA and a team high 83 strikeouts, which ranks fifth in the Big West. Hitters have struggled to get on base against Boles hitting just .246, which ranks ninth in conference. She also leads the conference with four saves on the year.

VETE-RUNS
The Highlanders veterans have set the tone on the base paths so far this year as juniors Danielle Ortega, Emma Ramelot, and senior Brittney Garcia have combined for 81 runs this year. Ramelot and Ortega lead the way with 31, which ranks fourth in conference.

WHEELS
The Highlanders have been successful when gambling on the base paths this year stealing 31 bases in just 35 attempts, which is the third most in the Big West. In return they have hosed seven runners of their own on the defensive end.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
The Highlanders have already collected five Big West Weekly honors this season:

Haley Marschall - Big West Pitcher of the Week (Feb 21st)
Haylee Kela - Big West Freshman of the Week (Mar 11th)
Jacy Boles - Big West Pitcher of the Week (Mar 11th)
Brittney Garcia - Big West Field Player fo the Week (Mar 18th)
Danielle Ortega - Big West Field Player fo the Week (Mar 25th)

R'HOUSE
The Highlanders have played exceptionally well at Amy S. Harrison Field posting 16 of their 23 wins at home.