RIVERSIDE, Calif. -  The Highlanders and the Gauchos squared off for game two in the weekend series and UCR looked to bounce back from its game one loss.

UC Santa Barbara got things going in the top of the first as they put up a four spot on UCR's Matthew Flores. The first two Gauchos got on base after being hit by pitches. The big knock was a three-run homer by Jonathan Mendez.

Flores was lifted after the first inning as it looked like he suffered some sort of injury and Josh Torres came in relief. UCSB kept the offense going as they scored a trio of runs and took an early 7-0 lead.

The Highlanders got on the board in the bottom of the third with the big hit coming from Landon Nunes, who hit his third homer of the year. UCR cut into the lead, 7-2.

UCSB scored a run in the fourth and fifth, but put the game out of reach in the sixth with a five spot. They also added four in the ninth.

The Highlanders tried to mount a comeback, scoring a run in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. They then added three more in the bottom of the ninth, but that was all they could get and fell 18-8.

Game three is tomorrow at 2:00 p.m.