RIVERSIDE, Calif. - UC Riverside closed out the Lynn Russell Miller Classic on Sunday afternoon with an 8-3 win over Pacific at Amy S. Harrison Field thanks to seven runs in the sixth inning. 

The Highlanders responded from a loss for the second time this season, and the vibes going into Sunday's weekend finale were all about " staying loose, having fun and trusting our skills and playing for each other."

"We did a much better job today staying connected with one another and doing what makes us great, which is staying close and connected as a team," head coach Nikki Palmer said. 

Katie Barbarick took the circle for the first time in 2022 and retired six of her first seven batters, ending the afternoon with five strikeouts. Maddie Heinlin made her second appearance of the season, going two innings with a strikeout. 

UCR's bats went quiet until the fourth inning, when Moana Pisia walked on a full count and stole second. Haylee Kela then flied out to move Pisia over to third before Kat Montuya recorded second RBI of the tournament with a single to left on a 2-1 pitch. 

The Highlanders' offense made a fashionably late appearance with a seven-spot in the sixth inning. Pisia tied the game with a two-run double, then after Kat Montuya pushed UCR ahead with a single back to the pitching circle, Gigi Araki opened the floodgates with a three-run double to left field.

Araki recorded the second three-RBI game of her young career on Sunday with her first RBIs of the season, while adding a run in her 1-for-2 day. The Hawaiian was one of three Highlanders on the day with multiple RBIs, as Pisia and Montuya recorded two apiece. 

The Highlanders will welcome rival California Baptist to Amy S. Harrison Field on Wednesday for the Crosstown Showdown. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN+. Tickets can be purchased at highlanderstickets.universitytickets.com, and students are free with a valid UCR ID.