RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The University of California, Riverside Highlanders baseball team held game three of a four-game series versus the College of the Holy Cross Crusaders on March 7 after splitting the first two games on Thursday and Friday nights. Both games went to extra innings. The Highlanders claimed the first game with a walk-off 7-6 win in the tenth inning, and dropped the second game 4-3, also in the tenth. They entered today's game with an even 7-7 record on the season, and were certainly out to claim their second game in this cross-country series.
Freshman
Zach Jacobs started on the mound for UC Riverside, continuing to shine as a threatening starting arm in the Highlanders' rotation. Jacobs collected the win on the day, improving his record to 2-2. He threw a complete seven innings, letting up two runs on three hits, with no walks and three punch outs. A scoreless five innings was sandwiched between the two runs notched against Jacobs, with Crusaders crossing home plate in the first and seventh innings.
Riley Ohl relieved Jacobs in the top of the eighth inning and would close the game. Ohl threw two innings, letting up one unearned run on two hits, with no walks and one strikeout.
Highlander bats supported a tremendous effort by the pitching staff, with seven runs overpowering the Crusaders offense for the final 7-3 scoreline in favor of UCR.
Jacob Shanks stood out at the plate today, going three for four at bat. He scored three runs on his three hits and had two RBIs. Freshman
Nick Pena, starting as the designated hitter, also had himself a day. Pena went two for three and scored one run, and got himself on base with a walk.
Shanks started things off in the second inning, singling along the third base line. He moved around to second on Nate Webb's base hit to center field.
Damien Sanchez hit an RBI single to drive Shanks home for the first time in the ballgame.
Skyler De Los Reyes smacked a sacrifice fly to center to send Webb home, earning himself an RBI.
In an eventful third inning, Shanks hit a deep two-RBI single to drive in the first pair of Highlander runs that would cross the plate in the third. Webb singled right behind Shanks to drive in the third run in two at bats for UCR. Shanks made his way home for the second time this game on a wild pitch. At the end of the third, Highlanders were leading 6-1.
Shanks scored his third and UCR's seventh and final run of the day off of a sacrifice bunt from Sanchez.
The 7-3 victory is the Highlanders eighth this season, putting them above .500 with a 8-7 overall record after 15 games in 2020. UC Riverside concludes the set against Holy Cross tomorrow, March 8 at 1 PM.
