RIVERSIDE, Calif. – In a game that went back and forth until the final frame, the University of California, Riverside (UCR) Highlanders battled for a Salvage Sunday but ultimately were swept by Long Beach State (LBSU), dropping the fourth and final game of the set in an 8-7 nailbiter.
UC Riverside jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first inning.
Dylan Orick belted an RBI double down the right field line to score
Travis Bohall and put the Highlanders ahead 1-0.
The Dirtbags answered back in the third inning, tying the game up at 1-1 with a sacrifice fly to score a baserunner.
The two teams fought for an edge until the fifth inning, when LBSU broke away with a two RBI double, taking the lead 3-1. The Dirtbags scored on another double before UCR could get out of the inning, extending their lead to 4-1.
The Highlanders quickly went to work, answering back with a three-run bottom of the fifth inning to knot the game at 4-4.
Jacob Shanks hit an RBI single through the left side to score
Nathan Webb. Shanks himself scored next, along with
Anthony Mata, off a two-RBI single from teammate
Cole Pofek.
Pofek wasn't done yet, earning another two RBIs off of a double to deep left center in the seventh inning, scoring
Joey Nicolai and Nate Webb to take the lead, 6-4.
Highlander defense worked hard to clinch the victory but found trouble in the top of the ninth inning as the Dirtbags rallied with a four-run inning, lifting LBSU above UCR 8-6.
UC Riverside battled for a comeback of their own in the bottom of the frame, and
Taylor Juline offered hope in the form of an RBI single bringing the game within one run. However, LBSU shut down the Highlanders and got out of the inning successfully winning the game 8-7.
Pofek had a successful day at the plate, hitting five for two with four RBIs.
Nathan Webb went two for two with two runs, and
Joey Nicolai went three for two, also scoring two runs.
Travis Bohall showed off his speed, stealing two bases and scoring one run.
Eric Marrujo pitched a solid six frames to open the game, letting up four runs on five hits, walking two and striking out five.
Shamus Lyons relieved Marrujo in the seventh and pitched two complete innings, letting up one run on one hit and striking out two of the seven batters he faced.
Jake Lachemann closed the game and let up three runs on three hits with two walks, striking out one Dirtbag.
The Highlanders continue Big West play next week, traveling to nearby Irvine for another four-game series. The first game is scheduled for Friday, May 14 at 3:00 PM in Irvine, Calif.
