NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - The Highlanders played one of their best games of the year, in defeating CSUN 3-1.

Matthew O'Brien got the start tonight as UCR bounced back from last night's shutout loss. The southpaw went 7.1 innings scattering six hits,  giving up one run and earning his fourth win of the year. After a first inning homer by CSUN's Kyle Panganiban O'Brien controlled the game before giving way to Matt Hudson. The Highlanders' closer came in for a five out save, his fifth save of the year. 

The Highlanders tied the game in the top of the fourth. Jacob Badawi scored on a passed ball to tie it up at one.

Then in the top of the fifth, Andrew Rivas and Landon Nunes both homered for the Highlanders putting UCR up 3-1. Rivas's blast just stayed fair down the right field line and Nunes' went out over the right-center wall. That was all the Highlanders needed.

Things did get a bit interesting in the bottom of the ninth. A single up the middle and a hit batsman put two on and the winning run at the plate. Jaxon Byrd caught the final out at the wall in right securing the Highlanders' 16th win of the year. The win marked UCR's third in their last four games.

The Highlanders have a chance to win their first conference series since Hawai'i when they and the Matadors square off tomorrow at 1PM.