RIVERSIDE, Calif. - UC Riverside kicked off a three game series with Long Beach State tonight at The Plex. The Highlanders entered the series dropping two-of-three at CSUN over the weekend and the Dirtbags topped UCLA in a mid-week game in Long Beach. 

The Beach took game one, 12-4.

Long Beach State got off to a quick start, scoring with three in the top of the first off Highlanders' starter Nolan Milliman. 

Trailing 3-0, the Highlanders were able to get one back in the home half of the first. Landon Nunes doubled down the line in right scoring Manoah Chapman. For Nunes that was his only hit and RBI of the game.

In the bottom of the second, UCR scored twice to tie the game at three. Doubles by David Whittle and Robert Pitts were key hits in the inning.

With the game tied at three, Long Beach State reclaimed the lead in the third with a RBI ground out by Connor Charpiot. 

UCR tied the game again in the home half of the fourth with a Robert Pitts RBI single, scoring Tyson Reis. Pitts had the only multi-hit game for UCR and multi-RBI game, too. For the Highlanders that would be all the runs they would get.

Long Beach State outscored UCR 8-0 in the final five innings. 

These two teams are back at it in the final two home games of the year for UCR. First pitch is set for 6PM.