RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Despite five excellent innings of pitching from starter, Eric Marrujo (5.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 K), and claiming the first lead of the game, the University of California, Riverside (UCR) Highlanders were unable to overcome a six-run sixth inning and fell 8-2 to the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Tritons. 
 
The two teams spent Sunday at the Riverside Sports Complex battling for the fourth and final game in the four-game Big West series. The Tritons snagged the win to split the set 2-2, with the Highlanders sweeping the doubleheader yesterday after dropping the opening game on Friday night.
 
Travis Bohall started things off for UC Riverside with a leadoff single in the bottom of the first inning, but he was caught stealing second before his teammates could try and send him home. After the Tritons retired the following two batters in UCR's order, a pitcher's duel ensued across four and a half scoreless innings.
 
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Cole Pofek capitalized on a leadoff single from Dylan Orick and belted a two-run homerun, his second in the series, to lift the Highlanders above the Tritons, 2-0.
 
It was short-lived, as UCSD answered back with force in the following frame. Marrujo was relieved by Abbott Haffar in the top of the sixth, who inherited runners from Marrujo on second and third. A few hits turned into a six-run inning for the Tritons, and the Highlanders were held scoreless after Pofek's two-run bomb in the fifth inning.
 
In the ninth inning, UCSD sent two more runs home with a triple off of UCR's closing pitcher Shamus Lyons, making the final score 8-2 in favor of the Tritons.
 
Dylan Orick led his team offensively, going two for four with one run, hitting effectively to evade the Triton's shift defense in order to get on base.
 
The Highlanders return to the Plex next weekend for another Big West series, hosting Long Beach State. The first game of the set is scheduled for Friday, May 7 at 6 PM.