Softball | 3/21/2026 6:23:00 PM
Box Score RIVERSIDE, Calif. — UC Riverside opened its home series against UC Santa Barbara on Saturday afternoon, falling 9-3 at Amy S. Harrison Field.
The Highlanders (3-19) threatened early in the first inning when Rebeca Cabezas walked and Leilani Juan doubled to left field to put two runners in scoring position, but the Gauchos escaped the jam to keep the game scoreless.
UC Santa Barbara broke through with two runs in the second inning and added two more in the fourth before extending its lead with a three-run fifth.
UC Riverside answered in the bottom of the fifth. Cabezas singled through the left side and Kayla Penor drew a walk before Jackie Alday ripped a two-RBI double down the left-field line to score both runners and trim the deficit to 7-2.
The Highlanders added another run in the sixth inning. Eta Lauti worked a walk, Trinity Munoz followed with a single to center and Aubrey Marx singled through the left side to load the bases. Cabezas then lifted a sacrifice fly to right field to bring home Lauti and make it 8-3.
Cabezas finished 1 for 1 with two walks, an RBI and a run scored, while Juan doubled and reached base twice. Alday drove in two runs, and Marx, Saldivar, Lauti and Munoz each added a hit as UC Riverside totaled seven hits.
The Highlanders conclude the series against the Gauchos tomorrow, Sunday, March 22nd with a double header with first pitch set for 11am.
