RIVERSIDE, Calif. - After having their midweek doubleheader against Utah Valley canceled due to weather, the University of California, Riverside (UCR) Highlanders were able to travel the short trip across town to California Baptist University (CBU) to take on the Lancers in game one of the annual Crosstown Showdown series.   

Starting pitcher Chrys Hildebrand came out firing, recording six strikeouts in the first three innings, effectively shutting down the Lancers until the fourth inning.  

After a brief rain delay at the top of the fourth paused the game with two Highlanders on base, they resumed play but were unable to bring in any runs. In the bottom of the fourth, Hildebrand committed a fielding error that allowed a CBU runner to get on base. The next Lancer batter earned the first hit of the game, a two-run home run.

The Highlanders answered back with a run of their own in the top of the fifth but would not be able to get any more runs in before the end of the game. The Lancers would add one more run of their own in the sixth to secure the 3-1 win.  

Head Coach Nikki Palmer added her thoughts on the game, saying, "Today was a tough loss. I am really proud of Chrys for her pitching performance and our defense did a nice job keeping us in the game. Ultimately, we just ran out of time on offense." She continued, "I am loving the progress the team is making and looking forward to Sunday's match up, then to get ready for conference." 

Next up for the Highlanders is a doubleheader on Sunday, March 14, when UCR will host California Baptist University to conclude the Crosstown Showdown at Amy S. Harrison Field with the first pitch scheduled for 1 pm.