RIVERSIDE, Calif. - UC Riverside fell 7-1 in Wednesday's first 2023 installment of the Crosstown Showdown at John C. Funk Stadium. 

Haylee Kela went 1 for 3 with a game tying solo shot, sending the first pitch of her at-bat over the left centerfield wall to tie the contest at one apiece. 

Marissa Burk singled to shortstop on her first pitch as well in the top of the sixth. Kela reached on a fielder's choice in the Highlanders' next at-bat, but Burk was put out unassisted at second base. Leah Brito led off the seventh with a single to right field, then advanced to third after a walk from Kat Montuya and a sacrifice groundout from Gigi Araki. 

UC Riverside is headed to its second of four tournaments this season, traveling to San Diego State for the Campbell Cartier Classic starting on Friday, February 17 at 11:30 a.m. against Oregon.