CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. - UC Riverside split day one of the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic on Friday at Big League Dreams in Cathedral City, downing Southern Utah 2-0 before falling 9-0 to Utah.
Chrys Hildebrand was masterful in her command of the tournament opener for the Highlanders, going for 18 strikeouts to shatter UCR's Division I single-game record. She allowed just two hits and three walks to the Thunderbirds' lineup, retiring 10 of her first 11 batters. Hildebrand carried her no-hitter into the seventh inning before giving up her first hit of the afternoon.
Gigi Araki gave the blast that put the Highlanders back in the win column, sending a two-run shot to left center in the fourth inning on the first pitch of her at-bat.
Haylee Kela and
Leah Brito provided the offense in the second game of the day for the Highlanders. Kela tripled to left center in the second inning before being called out on the play, while Brito led off the third with a single to right field.
UC Riverside continues its run at the Mary Nutter Classic on Saturday with a 9:30 a.m. first pitch against Bethune-Cookman. The Highlanders wrap up the tournament on Sunday against Seattle and Loyola Marymount.