RIVERSIDE, Calif. - UC Riverside fought valiantly in the finale of a three-game series with CSU Bakersfield at the Riverside Sports Complex on Sunday, but Dylan Orick's 4-for-5 afternoon wasn't enough as the Highlanders dropped the matinee, 12-8. 

Orick's first four-hit game since May of last season included three runs and an RBI.
 
Bakersfield jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but UCR climbed back in with a run in the second and a three-spot in the fourth. Mason Grace knocked the first pitch he saw into left center for a two-run RBI single that put the Highlanders up 4-3. 
 
UC Riverside plated two runs in the ninth to cut the deficit to 12-8, but no further damage was done. 
 
Orick's outfield partner in Cole Pofek did an equal amount of damage at the plate, going 3 for 5 with two runs and three RBIs. The redshirt senior and Riverside native entered Sunday with just nine games on the season of empty at-bats before his breakout performance. 
 
UCR turns its attention to a midweek contest on Tuesday against UNLV before traveling to Cal State Fullerton to resume Big West play.