HONOLULU - UC Riverside matched the program's biggest Big West comeback since 2017, plating all nine of its runs in the final two innings for a dramatic 9-7 game one victory over Hawaii at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium. 

Friday's rallying victory also matches UCR's largest Big West comeback away from Amy S. Harrison Field since 2011 against UC Santa Barbara.

Maddie Heinlin made her first start in Hawaii, but was rattled early with a two-run home run from the Rainbow Wahine in the first. Grace Pieson and Alexis Galvan made relief appearances as well in the series opener, with Galvan getting her first batter to pop out and leave the bases loaded. 

Gigi Araki and Rebeca Cabezas collected UCR's lone hits early on, both in the third as the Highlanders had a runner in scoring position for the time being. 

Back-to-back singles from Lauryn Garewal and Nadia Witt put UC Riverside back in business in the sixth before Marissa Burk brought them both home with a three-run home run to left center that put a charge in the Highlander offense.Burk, who also homered last time UCR visited the islands in 2021, cut Hawaii's lead in half after the Rainbow Wahine jumped out to a commanding 6-0 lead. 

The offense wasn't done just yet, as Nadia Witt poked an RBI single into left field before UCR loaded the bases with one out. UC Riverside ultimately pushed across all nine of its runs in the final two innings, as Hawaii native Gigi Araki gave the Highlanders their first lead of the night with an RBI single to left on a 2-2 pitch. 

UC Riverside and Hawaii will finish the series with a doubleheader on Saturday night beginning at 7:00 p.m. PST.