RIVERSIDE, Calif. - UC Riverside closed out the 2023 Lynn Russell Miller Classic on Sunday afternoon at Amy S. Harrison Field with an 8-1 win and 4-0 loss to Fresno State.
Brooke Perez was virtually unhittable in her first collegiate start in the circle, going 5.0 innings with just two hits allowed and a pair of strikeouts before Emma Falen collected her second save of the season. UCR's outfield trio of Nadia Witt, Taylor Burette and Haylee Kela enjoyed a highly productive output in game one, combining to go 4 for 11 with five runs and three RBIs.
UC Riverside replicated the beginning of Saturday's comeback victory with another hot start at the plate, putting up three in the first inning of Sunday's front end of the doubleheader that all began with a leadoff single from Witt.
The leadoff spot was all too kind to UCR in game one with a leadoff runner on base in every inning that included back-to-back doubles to kick off a four-run fourth. A solo shot from Fresno State broke up the shutout and run rule win, but UCR saw out the victory in a full seven innings of work.
Offenses were stymied in game two with a pair of hits apiece through three and a half innings, as Maddie Heinlin stepped back into the circle for her third start and appearance of the young season.
Witt kickstarted the Highlander offense with her second leadoff hit of the day before moving over to third, but it was Fresno State breaking the scoreless deadlock with a two-run RBI single in the top of the third. Lauryn Garewal gave UCR a spark of life half an inning later with a two-out double.
Fresno State added insurance runs in the fifth and seventh to earn the split.
With opening weekend under its belt, UC Riverside is headed across town for the Crosstown Showdown with California Baptist on Wednesday, February 15 at 6:00 p.m. from John C. Funk Stadium.
