LONG BEACH, Calif. – The UC Riverside Highlanders took a lead into the late innings but fell 4-3 in eight innings to Long Beach State on Saturday at the LBSU Softball Complex, closing out the weekend with a competitive series against the Beach.
 
The Highlanders jumped ahead in the third inning after Eta Lauti drew a walk and Kamryn Davis reached on a bunt single, setting the stage for Trendee Kahunahana's two-run single to right, giving UC Riverside a 2-0 lead.
 
After Long Beach State tied the game with two runs in the fourth, the Highlanders reclaimed the lead in the fifth. Davis doubled to center field, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Rebeca Cabezas, and scored on Jackie Alday's sacrifice fly to left, putting UCR ahead 3-2.
 
The Beach responded again in the seventh, tying the game on a sacrifice fly, and walked it off in the eighth with a two-out RBI single.
 
Davis led the Highlanders at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored. Kahunahana drove in two, and Alday added a key RBI. UC Riverside finished with three hits and drew three walks in the contest.
 
UC Riverside returns home next weekend for a three-game home series against Cal State Fullerton at Amy S. Harrison Field. First game of the series is set for Saturday, April 26^th at 1pm, which will also be Pride Game.