BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The offense was hotter than the weather on Saturday at the Roadrunner Softball Complex, as UC Riverside (19-28, 13-14 Big West) closed out its 2024 season with 6-5 and 15-1 wins over Cal State Bakersfield.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Cal State Bakersfield jumped out in front first in game one with the early lead in the second inning, but UCR responded immediately with a two-spot in the third courtesy of a two-run home run from Kat Montuya.
- UC Riverside grew its lead to a more comfortable 3-1 scoreline in the fourth before the Roadrunners punched back with three runs in the bottom half.
- Offense took a brief pause in the fifth with both sides going three up and three down.
- Bakersfield threatened to even the series after going up 5-3, but Montuya had other plans with her second home run and fifth RBI of the day in the seventh to give UCR the series win, 6-5. Maddie Heinlin earned the save a day after posting her second complete game of the season.
- The Highlander offense seamlessly transitioned into the season finale with a 7-0 advantage after three innings, ultimately putting up two separate five-run innings in the rout – putting up six in the top of the fifth for good measure.
- Three Highlanders drove in three runs apiece and four recorded multi-hit performances.
HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS
- UC Riverside's 15-1 win to cap off the season was two runs shy of tying the largest conference win in the program's Division I history.
- UCR finished the season with a win streak of at least four games for the third consecutive year.
- Nadia Witt closed out her illustrious Highlander career with a stat line to match it, going 4 for 5 with three RBIs in her final game.
- Gigi Araki also posted a stat line to mirror her time in the Inland Empire, going 3 for 4 in her sendoff game with three runs and three RBIs.
- Brooke Perez posted the Highlanders' second complete game of the weekend, going 5.0 innings in game three with four strikeouts.
UP NEXT
