LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The University of California, Riverside (UCR) Highlanders kicked off a three-game set against the #21 UCLA Bruins at 6 PM. This matchup, the first between the two teams since Feb 16, 2020, also takes place on the road at Jackie Robinson Stadium. 
 
Outstanding pitching held the Bruins to just three runs on the opening night of the series.
 
Zach Jacobs pitched 3.2 innings, letting up two runs on three hits and striking out five Bruins. He was relieved in the fourth inning by Eric Marrujo, who threw three innings with one run on one hit and four strikeouts. Sergio Ramirez closed out the game for the Highlanders on the mound, pitching the final inning and letting up no runs or hits and striking out two.
 
UC Riverside let up just two runs in the third inning and extended their lead with a Bruin run sent home in the seventh. It wasn't until the eighth inning that the Highlanders broke onto the scoreboard, with Sean McLeod roping the RBI single to right field to send Joey Nicolai home, cutting UCLA's lead 3-1.
 
Nicolai went two for three at the plate, leading his team offensively with his two hits. Additionally, Andrew Rivas, Ely Stuart and McLeod each recorded a hit in the game.
 
The Highlanders return for game two, tomorrow, Saturday, February 26 with the first pitch scheduled for 2:00 PM.