STANFORD, Calif. – The UC Riverside Highlanders secured a dramatic 1-0 extra-inning victory over Portland State on Sunday, closing out the Stanford Tournament with a clutch ninth-inning run and a dominant pitching performance.

The Highlanders and Vikings remained locked in a scoreless battle through eight innings before UC Riverside finally broke through in the ninth. Jackie Alday reached on an error to start the frame and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Isabel McElroy. Moments later, Alday came home on a passed ball, scoring the game's only run.

Maddie Heinlin (2-2) was outstanding in relief, tossing six scoreless innings while allowing just three hits and striking out five. She took over for starter Reagan Everett, who worked three shutout innings with one strikeout and five hits allowed.

The Highlanders' offense was limited to five hits but came up with timely plays. Leilani Juan led the team with two hits, while Haley Saole added a double. Eta Lauti and Alday also recorded hits in the win.
Portland State had its chances but left seven runners on base. The Vikings' best scoring opportunity came in the fifth when they put runners on second and third with one out, but Heinlin worked out of the jam with a strikeout and a groundout.

The Highlanders head to Cathedral City for the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic tournament beginning this Thursday, February 20^th.