PEORIA, Ariz. - UC Riverside retook the field in the desert on Saturday afternoon at the Peoria Sports Complex, falling to Washington State 17-4.
The Highlanders jumped out to an early lead for the second time in as many days, as Jacob Shanks jumped at a wild pitch and trotted home for the 1-0 lead. Shanks started his route on the base path by reaching on a fielder's choice before seizing another opportunity.
Dominic Martinez set the first run of the day in motion with a single to right center that moved Shanks to third before coming home, but it was Anthony Mata catalyzing the Highlander offense for the day with a 4-for-5 outing that included an RBI double in the seventh as part of a three-run inning for UCR.
Mata's rope to left was UC Riverside's second RBI double of the inning and third double of the inning. Alfredo Capacete knocked a leadoff double into left field before Andrew Gamez struck one down towards the opposite foul pole to bring Capacete home.
Martinez, meanwhile, earned his second hit in as many games for the blue and gold. On the hill Corbin Barker got the ball for UCR with four strikeouts in 2.0 innings of work before taking his early leave.
UC Riverside will close its season-opening trip to Arizona with an 11:00 a.m. matchup against Washington State on Sunday.
