Briza Blanco
1
CSUN CSUN 2-14, 2-14 Big West
2
Winner UC Riverside UCR 5-20, 4-12 Big West
CSUN CSUN
2-14, 2-14 Big West
1
Final
2
UC Riverside UCR
5-20, 4-12 Big West
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
CSUN CSUN 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 2 1
UC Riverside UCR 0 0 1 0 0 1 X 2 4 2

W: Hildebrand, Chrys (4-7) L: Jamerson, Kenedee (1-6)

2
CSUN CSUN 2-15, 2-15 Big West
3
Winner UC Riverside UCR 6-20, 5-12 Big West
CSUN CSUN
2-15, 2-15 Big West
2
Final
3
UC Riverside UCR
6-20, 5-12 Big West
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
CSUN CSUN 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 7 0
UC Riverside UCR 0 2 0 1 0 0 X 3 4 2

W: Barbarick, Katie (2-7) L: Gonzales, Eryka (1-8) S: Rivera, Caitlyn (2)

Game Recap: Softball |

Long Ball, Defense Leads to Doubleheader Sweep of CSUN

RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Chrys Hildebrand tossed another gem, Gigi Araki homered for the second time in three games and the UCR Riverside softball team picked up the doubleheader sweep over CSUN 2-1 and 3-2 on Saturday afternoon at Amy S. Harrison Field in Riverside.

It was the Highlanders' first doubleheader sweep of the 2021 season.

"It's obvious to see that we are growing every game," Highlanders head coach Nikki Palmer said. "Our hard work in practice is starting to pay off, and as a result, our opportunities to close the game and get the win are getting easier and easier."

Hildebrand turned in yet another quality start in the doubleheader opener against the Matadors, matching a career high set last weekend against Hawaii with 10 strikeouts against CSUN in a complete game. 

Hildebrand retired 10 of her first 13 batters in dominant fashion with seven strikeouts in that span.

"We are seeing the consistency she shows that's gotten her the last two wins in her outings," Palmer said of her pitcher's performance both last weekend at Hawaii and Saturday against the Matadors.

Briza Blanco went 2 for 2 with a run in the series opener, coming home on a throwing error in the third inning. 

The Matadors answered with a run in the top of the sixth, but Marissa Burk gave UCR the insurance it needed with a homerun to straight away center field for her 10th RBI of the season.

"Personally, I have been seeing the ball really well and that has made all the difference for me in the box," said Burk, who's on an eight-game hit streak. "Our recent boost in offense is directly related to our relentless work ethic and keeping things simple at the plate."

Araki homered for the second time in three games in the second inning of game two to put UCR up 2-0 after Kennedi Sorensen led off the inning with her team-high seventh double of the season. Araki then doubled in her next at-bat and came home on a sacrifice fly by Blanco after stealing third. 

CSUN mounted a comeback with a two-spot in the seventh, but Caitlyn Rivera shut the door for her second save of the season.

The Highlanders will close out the series on Sunday with Senior Day from Amy S. Harrison Field.Â