RIVERSIDE, Calif. - UC Riverside bounced back on Saturday's day three of the Lynn Russell Miller Classic with a resounding 8-0 win over Montana at Amy S. Harrison Field.

A complete performance and buy-in mentality helped UCR improve to 2-1 on the year entering Sunday's final day of the season-opening tournament. 

"We competed all the way through the game and were really committed," head coach Nikki Palmer said. "We bought into the process and we're excited to face a tough opponent tomorrow." 

UCR put the pressure on immediately with a four-spot in the first after three drawn walks chased Montana's starting pitcher from the circle. Haylee Kela racked up her fifth career three-RBI game that started with a four-pitch walk in the first. Kela also sent a first pitch to center for two RBIs, scoring Marissa Burk and Nadia Witt. 

The Long Beach native went 2 for 2 against the Griz with a run and a stolen base in addition to her three RBIs. 

Maddie Heinlin put in a solid 4.0 innings of work in her second appearance of the year, picking up four strikeouts while allowing just two hits against 18 batters in her first win of the year. Jackie Alday made her college softball debut behind the plate on the other side of the battery. 

Heinlin exited early to make way for Brooke Perez's second relief appearance in as many days. UCR's first home run of the year came off the bat of Kat Montuya, whose solo shot to center cemented the run rule victory. 

UC Riverside will finish off the Lynn Russell Miller Classic on Sunday with a doubleheader against Fresno State starting at 11:30 a.m. Live stats will be available on GoHighlanders.com.