STOCKTON, Calif. – The UC Riverside Highlanders wrapped up the Libby Matson Tournament on Sunday with a pair of hard-fought games, dropping a 3-0 battle to San Jose State before coming up short in a 10-7 slugfest against Pacific.

GAME ONE: San Jose State 3, UC Riverside 0

UC Riverside turned in a strong defensive performance but was unable to break through offensively, falling 3-0 to San Jose State at Bill Simoni Field.

The game remained scoreless through five innings as Maddie Heinlin (3-5) kept the Spartans in check, allowing just five hits while striking out seven in a complete-game effort. The Highlanders' defense played clean, committing just one error while making key plays to keep San Jose State off the board early.

San Jose State broke through in the sixth inning, scoring on a solo home run and a two-run shot to right field. Despite a late push, the Highlanders were unable to generate offense against the Spartans' pitching staff.
UC Riverside managed five hits, with Haley Saole leading the way with two singles. Kamryn Davis, Brooklyn Porter, and Isabel McElroy each added a hit.

GAME TWO: Pacific 10, UC Riverside 7

In a high-scoring affair, UC Riverside traded blows with Pacific before falling 10-7 in its final game of the tournament.

The Highlanders came out swinging, scoring twice in the first inning after a fielding error allowed Leilani Juan to cross the plate, followed by a double from Rebeca Cabezas that brought Saole home.
Pacific responded with four runs in the bottom of the first, including a three-run home run, before adding another in the third to extend the lead to 5-2.

UC Riverside fought back in the sixth, tying the game with a three-run home run from Kamryn Davis to make it 7-5. However, Pacific answered with three runs in the bottom half, including another home run.
Eta Lauti capped off the Highlanders' offensive night with a two-run homer in the seventh, but the rally fell short.

Offensively, Davis led the way, going 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, and three RBIs. Cabezas, Lauti, and Haley Saole also recorded extra-base hits in the effort.
 
The Highlanders open Big West Conference play this weekend as they take open a three game series against UC Santa Barbara with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 8^th with first pitch set for 12pm.