RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Following an opening weekend on the road ending in a three-game sweep by the top-10 ranked UCLA Bruins, the UC Riverside Highlanders opened their 2020 home game slate this evening at the Riverside Sports Complex against the 1-2 Seattle University Redhawks.
It wouldn't take long for the Redhawks to get organized offensively. A leadoff walk by Highlanders starting pitcher
Kevin West, followed by a single would put two Redhawks on base. A wild pitch would bring a runner home and put Seattle on the scoreboard in the first inning. With a Redhawks runner still on second, a two-out single would drive in one more run before West would get out of the inning with a strikeout.
West maneuvered through a strong second inning with no hits or runs against him, while Highlander bats tried to catch up to Seattle's lead.
Dylan Orick would get on base after an error, steal second and move around to third, only to be left on base with an infield fly to Seattle's shortstop.
Connor Martin came in to relieve West in the top of the third. A bunt and a single put two Redhawks on base and the Highlanders in danger. Catcher
Ethan Payne was able to quickly retire Seattle leadoff hitter and centerfielder, Gavin Rork while attempting to steal second with a rocket fired to
Skyler De Los Reyes at shortstop. In another flex of the Highlander's defensive capabilities, freshman
Nick Pena made a diving catch in foul territory for the inning's second out. The runner on first would advance with a wild pitch. A Redhawk double to left field would bring another Seattle run across home plate before Martin got out of the inning.
A pair of deep singles in the top of the fourth inning would bring in a fourth run for Seattle. Highlander bats struggled to ignite; they would remain hitless for the first five innings.
Trevor Bateson relieved Martin on the mound in the fifth inning and would hold the Redhawks to their 4-0 lead with two strikeouts and a ground out to get out of the inning. Bateson would find trouble in the sixth inning, letting up two runs before
Shamus Lyons would take the mound and get the Highlanders out of the jam with a strikeout and a ground out to first base.
Cole Pofek would put the first hit on the board for the Highlanders with a double to left field after the Redhawks first pitching change. Pofek would advance on a wild pitch and score the lone UCR run when designated hitter
Jacob Shanks singled to right field.
Cole Tucker had a hitless and scoreless appearance in the seventh, followed by
Riley Ohl in the eighth who continued to hold the scoreline at 6-1.
Taylor Juline pinch hit in the seventh, singling to center to hopefully start a Highlander rally. Seattle's pitcher would strike three Highlanders out swinging to end the inning.
Dylan Orick singled to right field in the eighth, but Seattle defense would leave him on base.
The Highlanders would let up a run in the top of the ninth for a final decision of 7-1 in favor of Seattle. The Highlanders fall to 0-4.
Looking to the weekend, the Highlanders play Cal Baptist in a three-game series for the annual Crosstown Showdown presented by Highlander at North Campus. They play at Cal Baptist Friday, February 21 at 6 PM and Sunday, February 23 at 5 PM. They will host the Lancers on Saturday, February 22 at 6 PM.
