RIVERSIDE, Calif. – In the final game of their four-game series, the Highlanders got strong starting pitching from freshman Kyle Anderson and ample run support to assure an end to their five-game losing streak, earning a 9-2 win over Hawai'i Sunday at the Riverside Sports Complex.
 
With Anderson throwing no-hit baseball until his scheduled pitch count limit, leadoff center fielder Travis Bohall got UCR's offense going when he put down a bunt base hit toward third to start off the Highlander half of the third inning. Ely Staurt hit an awkward ground ball to second that Aaron Ujimori couldn't handle to get either runner, putting runners at first and second.
 
A bloop single by Jacob Shanks loaded the bases with no outs and Dylan Orick at the plate. The redshirt junior drove in a run on a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Bohall for the first Highlander lead since they were up 5-3 in the seventh inning of the first game of this series Friday against the Rainbows. Nathan Webb reciprocated with another sac fly to center, scoring Stuart for a 2-0 lead.
 
The Highlanders got two more in the fourth, then Nathan Webb led off the fifth with bloop single to right and scored standing up from second two batters later on a slow single to right by Cole Pofek and a 5-0 lead. Hawai'i reliever Cameron Hagan took the hill and got out of the jam for the visitors.
 
Keeping to his promised pitch count, UCR coach Justin Johnson removed Anderson in the sixth in favor of relief pitcher Eric Marrujo, who put the Rainbows down in order.
 
An RBI sacrifice fly by Anthony Mata ended relief pitcher Cameron Hagan's day. His successor, Tai Atkins, loaded the bases after hitting Pofek and surrendering a two-run single to Nicolai for an 8-0 lead.
 
Marrjo set down the side in order in the seventh, but his combined no-hit bid ended in the eighth when he allowed a single by pinch hitter Konnor Palmeira, who was stranded after Bohall's diving catch and relay to the infield led to a double play, catching a baserunner between first and second to end the inning.
 
Marrujo stayed in for the ninth, when a shutout for the Highlanders was averted by Hawai'i as Safea Villaruz-Mauai's standup triple scored Scott, followed by Mauai on a groundout by Alex Baeza before the freshman closed the game for UCR with a 9-2 win.
 
Head Coach Justin Johnson commented on the team win, saying, "Super proud of the win today. We had two freshman go nine innings and only give up two runs. That was great. Hopefully they can build on that going forward, not just for this year but into the future." Johnson continued, "Offensively we were outstanding. We really put a lot of quality at bats together. Couldn't be more proud of the team for battling and getting the win here."

Sunday's victory sends the Highlanders on the road to Northridge, where UC Riverside takes on CSUN in a four-game series starting Friday, April 16, at 3 p.m. PT.