IRVINE, Calif. - The University of California, Riverside (UCR) Highlanders wrapped up the 2023 season dropping the final game in a three-game set on the road against the University of California, Irvine (UCI) Anteaters, 7-5.

A pair of solo home runs from Jayden Lopez and Jacob Badawi contributed to the Highlanders scoreline, but UCI's seven runs was ultimately too much for UC Riverside to overcome.  

The 'Eaters jumped into an early lead in the third inning with a two-run home run followed by a two-run fourth inning, for a 4-0 lead. 

Lopez answered back with his homer in the top of the fifth inning, followed by an RBI double from Andrew Gamez, scoring Mason Grace and halving the deficit, 4-2.

The Highlanders kept working in the top of the sixth, putting up another two run frame to tie the game, 4-4. 

In the seventh, Badawi homered to left field, bringing UCR into their first lead of the series, 5-4.

The Anteaters responded with a two-run seventh inning themselves, retaking the lead, 6-5. In the bottom of the eighth they drove in an insurance run, extending their lead to the final score of 7-5. 

The Highlanders finish the season with an overall record of 11-41 and a Big West record of 5-25. The Highlanders will return to action in 2024.