RIVERSIDE, Calif. - A three-run first inning wasn't enough to keep the Aztecs at bay, as the UC Riverside Highlanders dropped a mid week game against San Diego State University, 5-14.

Highlander bats were hot in the first inning, with Jacob Shanks leading off with a single to get on base. Jacob Badawi advanced him to third with a double to left field. With a pair of runners in scoring position, Anthony Mata sent home the first run of the day with an RBI single to right field, with no outs on the board yet.

Dominic Martinez followed Mata with another RBI single to score Badawi, putting the Highlanders up 2-0. Alfredo Capacete grounded out to score Mata before SDSU could get out of the inning, giving UCR a three-run advantage before the Aztecs could have an at bat.

Martinez earned his second RBI of the day with solo homerun to right field in the top of the third, lifting the Highlanders lead to 4-0.

San Diego State offense woke up in the bottom of the third, sending three runs across to threaten UC Riverside. The Aztecs tied it up in the fourth with a single run, 4-4. 

The Highlanders answered back with a run in the top of the fifth, to reclaim the lead 5-4. 

SDSU offense poured on five runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a commanding 9-5 lead. 

In the sixth and seventh innings, the Aztecs extended their lead to the final score of 14-5.

The Highlanders play next on the road Thursday, April 6 at Cal Poly, with first pitch scheduled for 6:00 PM.