BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The University of California, Riverside (UCR) Highlanders traveled to Bakersfield to open the unconventional 2021 Big West season with an unconventional opponent, new conference members the Cal State University Bakersfield (CSUB) Roadrunners. 

A nine-run third inning for UCR wasn't enough to hold off the Roadrunners, who overcame an eight-run deficit late in the game, scoring 13 of their 15 runs in the seventh and eighth innings to secure their 15-9 victory. 

The Highlanders' electric third inning started off with a pair of singles by Ethan Payne and Travis Bohall. The two advanced on a wild pitch before Taylor Juline got on base after getting hit by a pitch. With the bases loaded, Jacob Shanks also got hit by a pitch, advancing Payne home for the first run of the game. Orick tripled down the right field line to clear the bases for three RBIs, putting UCR up 4-0. Nate Webb walked before Joey Nicolai homered to right field to add three more runs, 7-0. UC Riverside wasn't done yet, as Anthony Mata walked to get on base, before finding his way home off of a double from Ely Stuart. Travis Bohall made good use of his second at bat of the inning, with a single to left field that sent Stuart home for the final run, putting the Highlanders ahead 9-0.

CSUB, searching for a comeback, answered back with one run in the bottom of the third, and returned to the plate with force later in the game to win. In the sixth, they scored a single run, cutting the Highlanders' lead down 9-2. In the seventh and eighth, they added six and seven runs respectively, while holding the Highlanders scoreless to win the game, 15-9.

Zach Jacobs started on the rubber for the Highlanders and pitched a commanding six innings, letting up two runs off five hits with four strikeouts. Offensively, Dylan Orick led his team hitting two for three (a double and a triple), scoring one run and three RBIs.

UC Riverside returns tomorrow for a doubleheader against the Roadrunners, with the first pitch scheduled for 12:00 PM.