SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The University of California Riverside Highlanders traveled up the coast to Santa Barbara to face off against the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) Gauchos in the final weekend of Big West competition.

The Gauchos jumped ahead early with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first inning.

In the top of the third, Jacob Badawi answered back with force, making a statement with an RBI double to start things off for the Highlanders.  Right behind him, Jacob Shanks hit a 2RBI single to right field, putting the Highlanders up with a 3-1 lead. 

In the bottom of the fourth, UCSB scored two runs on a triple to tie the game up 3-3. 

Andrew Rivas took care of business on the top of the fifth, hitting a 2RBI double to put the Highlanders up 5-3. Right behind him, Dylan Orick would single to send him home putting UC Riverside up 6-3. 

In the seventh, Anthony Mata walked in an insurance run, putting UCR up 7-3 heading into the stretch.

UCSB struggled to produce, answering back with just one run against UCR's reliever, Sergio Ramirez, who gave starter Eric Marrujo a rest after throwing six complete innings.

In the top of the eighth, Shanks singled to score Carnazzo, lifting the Highlanders into an 8-4 lead.

In the bottom of the eighth, Gaucho offense ignited and added two runs to their total as they chased down the Highlanders, en route to ultimately walking them off in the ninth. 

After stifling UCR bats in the final two innings, UCSB was able to pull ahead and walk off the Highlanders, 9-8 in the ninth inning. 

Eric Marrujo had a fantastic outing on the mound, throwing six complete innings letting up just three runs on four hits and striking out three.

Badawi continues his hot streak, scoring two runs on two hits in four at bats, with one RBI and one double.

Shanks also stayed hot, going three for four with three RBIs and a walk. 

The series continues tomorrow, with game two set to begin at 4:00 PM.