SANTA BARBARA, Calif - The Highlanders of the University of California, Riverside (UCR), wrapped up their final conference series of the 2022 season with an afternoon game at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium against the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) Gauchos. 

The Gauchos, the 2022 Big West Baseball Conference Champions, secured the series sweep with a 14-2 victory over the Highlanders. 

UCSB jumped ahead early, scoring three runs on UCR's starter, Kyle Anderson, before pouring on the runs in the second inning against the Highlanders' reliever, Cruz Barrios. 

Heading into the third inning, the Gauchos led 6-0. 

Badawi took it upon himself to open the scoreboard up for the Highlanders in the third inning, with a sacrifice fly that sent Nate Webb home, putting the score at 6-1. 

The Gauchos offense answered right back, piling on five more runs in the third and fourth innings, extending their lead 11-1.

Andrew Rivas attempted to ignite some late game heroics for UCR in the sixth inning, blasting a homer to right field, cutting UCSB's lead to 11-2. 

The Gauchos returned with three more runs in the seventh, before Caleb Turner was able to hold them scoreless in the eighth, for a final score of 14-2. 

The Highlanders will celebrate Senior Day with their final home game of the year, scheduled for Saturday, May 27 at 6:00 PM.