NORTHRIDGE, Calif. — The Highlanders opened Big West Conference play Thursday afternoon, falling to CSUN, 7-6, at Matador Diamond before the second game of the day postponed due to loss of sunlight.
The Highlanders (2-13, 0-1 Big West) collected 14 hits in the contest and jumped out to an early lead in the first inning. Aubrey Marx led off with a single before Rebeca Cabezas and Leilani Juan followed with base hits to load the bases. Gabriella Garcia then delivered a two-RBI single to center field to give UC Riverside a 2-0 advantage.
UC Riverside continued to threaten offensively throughout the game, recording multiple hits in four different innings. Marx, Cabezas and Juan each finished with three hits to pace the Highlanders at the plate. Cabezas also drove in a run, while Garcia and Mariana Palazuelos added two RBIs apiece.
After CSUN took the lead in the middle innings, the Highlanders mounted a four-run rally in the sixth inning. Taylor Wren reached on an error before Marx singled and Cabezas followed with an RBI single. Juan then added an RBI single, and Palazuelos delivered a two-run single to center field as UC Riverside reclaimed a 6-5 lead.
CSUN responded in the bottom half of the inning with two runs to retake the lead.
The Highlanders began the second game of the doubleheader before it was postponed due to loss of sunlight. The game will resume Saturday, March 7, at 12 p.m., with the Highlanders leading 5-4 in the fifth inning. The final game of the series will begin 30 minutes after the conclusion of Game Two.
