SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — The UC Riverside Highlanders closed out its weekend at Cal Poly with a 4-2 victory Sunday afternoon at Bob Janssen Field.
The Highlanders (4-23, 2-10 Big West) struck first in the opening inning when Leilani Juan doubled to right-center and Kayla Penor followed with an RBI double to put UC Riverside in front, 1-0.
After Cal Poly (9-22, 3-9 Big West) answered to tie the game in the bottom half of the inning, the Highlanders regained the lead in the second. Trendee Kahunahana reached on an error, Arianna Saldivar followed with a bunt single and Taylor Wren dropped down an RBI bunt single to make it 2-1.
The Mustangs pulled even again in the fourth, but UC Riverside answered with two runs in the fifth. Kahunahana drew a leadoff walk and came home on Saldivar's RBI triple down the right-field line. Mariana Palazuelos then singled to shallow right to bring in Saldivar and extend the lead to 4-2.
Saldivar paced the Highlanders at the plate, going 3 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored. Penor added a pair of doubles and an RBI, while Kahunahana scored twice. Juan, Lauti, Palazuelos and Wren also contributed hits as UC Riverside finished with 10.
Brynne Johnson made the start and worked 3.1 innings, allowing two runs, both unearned. Emory Cheng (4-7) earned the win in relief, tossing 3.2 scoreless innings and striking out three while allowing just one hit.
The Highlanders host UC San Diego for a three game series beginning Friday, April 3rd for a double header beginning at 1 p.m.
