RIVERSIDE, Calif. - On the final day of the Big West three-day opening weekend series, the University of California,Riverside (UCR) Highlanders were downed by the Long Beach State University (LBSU) Dirtbags 14-2 in an afternoon game at the Plex.

After Long Beach opened the scoreline in the first inning with a sacrifice fly, the Highlanders answered back in the bottom of the frame to tie the game 1-1 with an RBI triple from Jacob Shanks. 

In the third, LBSU took the lead with an RBI single. Shortly after, the Dirtbags took control of the game with a grand slam to extend their lead, 6-1. 

In the bottom of the inning, Shanks got his second RBI with a single to through the left side, scoring Jayden Lopez to cut the deficit to 6-2. 

Back to back Long Beach multi-run homeruns in the fifth and sixth innings bolstered the Dirtbags' lead, 11-2.

In the ninth, LBSU tacked on three more runs, for a final score of 14-2. 

Tomorrow, Monday, March 27, the Highlanders take the field for the annual Crosstown Showdown at California Baptist just down the road. First pitch is scheduled for 6 PM.