RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The UC Riverside Highlanders held strong in both ends of Saturday's Big West doubleheader at Amy S. Harrison Field but came up just short, falling 2-0 and 6-3 to conference-leading Cal State Fullerton.

GAME ONE: Cal State Fullerton 2, UC Riverside 0

UC Riverside put together a gritty defensive effort in the opener, but Cal State Fullerton used single runs in the first and sixth innings to come away with a 2-0 victory.

The Highlanders managed one hit — a fifth-inning single from Eta Lauti — and placed runners aboard in the second and seventh innings but were unable to break through against the Titans.

UC Riverside's defense turned multiple key plays to limit Fullerton's scoring opportunities, including stranding five Titans on base.

GAME TWO: Cal State Fullerton 6, UC Riverside 3

In game two, UC Riverside again pushed the Titans into a late-game battle before falling 6-3 in the nightcap.

The Highlanders got on the board in the second inning when Eta Lauti crushed a solo home run to left, cutting the early Titans lead to 2-1.

Trailing 6-1 in the bottom of the seventh, UC Riverside mounted a rally. Kamryn Davis walked and scored on an RBI single from Trendee Kahunahana, while Mariana Palazuelos added an RBI single to pull the Highlanders within three runs. The tying run came to the plate before Fullerton closed it out.

Cabezas, Kahunahana, Lauti, Alday, and Palazuelos each recorded hits in the effort.

UC Riverside will look to close the weekend strong when the Highlanders and Titans meet for the series finale on Sunday, April 27^th at 1:00pm after the Highlanders take a moment to celebrate their seniors before first pitch.