BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The University of California, Riverside (UCR) Highlanders completed a four-game conference opening series against the California State University Bakersfield (CSUB) Roadrunners today, March 21, with a single game that began at 1:00 PM. After splitting yesterday's doubleheader, the Highlanders looked for another win in order to split the series, but ultimately fell short in a tough battle to the 'Runners, 9-7.
Cal State Bakersfield got started early, loading the bases and sending two runs home with a two-RBI single for a 2-0 lead before the end of the inning. In the third inning the Roadrunners drove in another run with a double to get on base and a single to bring the runner in to put CSUB at a 3-0 advantage.
Taylor Juline started things off for the Highlanders in the fifth inning with a base hit.
Anthony Mata advanced Juline with another base hit.
Ely Stuart got the job done, smacking a 2-RBI double to left field to send the first two Highlander runs home. He scored off of hit by
Travis Bohall, tying the game 3-3. Bohall himself scored off of a double from Nate Webb, lifting the Highlanders up 4-3 over CSUB in their most effective inning at bat.
The Roadrunners wouldn't go down without a fight however, pouring on five hits to add four runs in the bottom of the fifth, surging ahead of the Highlanders 7-4.
UC Riverside offense answered back in sixth inning, with
Ely Stuart sending
Taylor Juline home, bringing the Highlanders within two runs of CSUB, 7-5. Bohall tied it up at 7-7 with a two-RBI single before Bakersfield could get out of the inning.
The 'Runners scored on a wild pitch to take the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning, 8-7. In the seventh, another wild pitch sent a CSUB baserunner home, to secure the 9-7 victory for the Roadrunners.
The Highlanders battled for an opportunity to win in the final two innings, but ultimately fell short on a comeback. Freshman Shortstop Mata led the Highlanders offensively, going three for four with one run. Stuart went two for four and contributed three RBIs, while Bohall also had three RBIs.
The next conference series for the Highlanders will begin at home next weekend with a night game against Cal State Fullerton on Friday, March 26 at 6 PM.