San Luis Obispo, Calif. – The University of California, Riverside (UCR) Highlanders traveled up the California coast to begin a four-game Big West set with a night game against Cal Poly on Friday, April 23. 
 
UC Riverside quickly went to work, with Travis Bohall tripling to get on base his first at bat. Ely Stuart hit an RBI single down the left field line to score Bohall and claim an early lead in the top of the first inning.
 
Ethan Payne started the Highlanders off in the top of the third inning, doubling to get on base. Bohall executed a sacrifice bunt to advance Payne to third, before he capitalized on a passed ball and scored. Going into the bottom of the third, UCR was in the lead 2-0.
 
Starting pitcher Zach Jacobs found trouble in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Mustangs opened the inning with a trio of singles to cut the Highlanders' lead in half, 2-1. Another single sent the tying run home, and a sacrifice fly to left field would send in the inning's third and final run, lifting the Mustangs ahead of the Highlanders, 3-2.
 
In the bottom of the sixth, Cal Poly stole home to extend their lead to the final score, 4-2.
 
Jacobs pitched seven complete for the Highlanders, letting up four runs on nine hits and striking out five. Shamus Lyons relieved Jacobs for the final inning and held the Mustangs at four runs. Despite the early lead, UC Riverside offense struggled to score runs as the Mustangs mounted their comeback. Ely Stuart was 2-2 with one RBI and Nate Webb went 3-2 with a double.
 
The Highlanders return tomorrow for a shot at redemption in the form of a doubleheader. First pitch will commence at 1:00 PM.