STOCKTON, Calif. – UC Riverside wrapped up a Saturday doubleheader at the Pacific Tournament, falling 17-2 to BYU before bouncing back with a strong 6-3 victory over Pacific.

GAME ONE: BYU 17, UC Riverside 2 (5 innings)

UC Riverside faced a tough BYU lineup in the first game of the day, as the Cougars capitalized on early scoring opportunities to secure a 17-2 victory in five innings.
BYU (14-4) struck early, plating five runs in the first and adding six more in the third, including a three-run home run.

The Highlanders got on the board in the fourth when Mariana Palazuelos doubled to left center and Isabel McElroy launched a two-run home run to right field, cutting into the deficit. However, BYU tacked on five more runs in the bottom of the inning to put the game out of reach.

Kamryn Davis led UC Riverside with two hits, while Palazuelos, McElroy, and Eta Lauti also contributed to the Highlanders' five-hit effort.

GAME TWO: UC Riverside 6, Pacific 3

UC Riverside rebounded in the afternoon, using timely hitting and a strong pitching performance from Maddie Heinlin to defeat Pacific 6-3.

After a scoreless first three innings, the Highlanders broke through in the fourth. Haley Saole doubled to right field, and Rebeca Cabezas followed with an RBI double to put UC Riverside on the board. Moments later, Isabel McElroy laid down a bunt single, scoring Cabezas to give the Highlanders a 2-0 lead.

UC Riverside added two more in the fifth when Eta Lauti was hit by a pitch, stole second, and later scored on a throwing error after a Kamryn Davis double. Davis then came home on a groundout by Leilani Juan, extending the lead to 4-0.

Pacific responded with three runs in the bottom of the fifth, including a two-run homer, but the Highlanders pulled away in the sixth. Lauti came through again with a clutch two-run double down the left field line, scoring Brooklyn Porter and Jen Ragay to seal the win.

Heinlin was in control throughout, tossing a complete game, allowing five hits and three runs while striking out five. UC Riverside's defense was sharp, holding Pacific scoreless in the final two innings.

The Highlanders will look to build on their momentum as they continue they Libby Matson Tournament with their first game set for a 12:15pm start against San Jose State.