IRVINE, Calif. - The Highlanders tried to bounce back from last night's loss to UC Irvine and battled the Anteaters early on. UCR sought their first conference win since beating Hawai'i  in early March.

Matthew Flores got the nod in the matinee at UCI and started strong. Even though he took the loss on Saturday, he pitched four strong innings and struck out five. He gave up three runs on five hits, with all runs coming in the third inning. 

Trailing, 3-0, going into the fifth the Highlanders' bats came alive. David Whittle came up with Andrew Rivas on base and promptly doubled him in. David Gibbs then followed with a single and just like that UCR trailed UCI 3-2.

However, the Anteaters scored three in the bottom half of the inning and took a 6-2 lead. 

The Highlanders entered the seventh trailing 6-2 and put a trio of runs on the board. Rivas, Gibbs and Robert Pitts all came through with RBI singles and UCR kept within striking distance. 

In the bottom of the seventh, with UCR trailing 6-5, UCI took control of the game putting up an eight spot. Two singles, two doubles and homer saw the Anteaters build a nine run lead. 

The Highlanders scored two more times in the eighth and once more in the ninth, but the deficit was too much to overcome. 

The series finale is tomorrow with first pitch at 1PM. The Highlanders looks to take game three and build some momentum before their series against Cal State Bakersfield next weekend.