RIVERSIDE, Calif. — The UC Riverside Highlanders came up just short against California Baptist on Thursday night, falling 2-1 at John C. Funk Stadium.
The Highlanders were locked in a scoreless battle through five innings behind a strong outing from Emory Cheng in the circle. Cheng worked all 6.0 innings, allowing two runs on six hits while walking two and striking out one.
UC Riverside broke through in the sixth inning. Aubrey Marx singled through the left side with one out, and after two more outs, Kayla Penor delivered a clutch RBI double to left-center to score Marx and give the Highlanders a 1-0 lead.
Jackie Alday paced the offense with two hits, while Marx, Penor and Alday accounted for UC Riverside's four hits. The Highlanders also got a hit-by-pitch from Leilani Juan in the first inning and put together steady defensive work to keep the game tight into the late innings.
California Baptist answered with two runs in the bottom of the sixth and held on from there as Penor finished with the Highlanders' lone RBI.
The Highlanders return to Amy S. Harrison Field to host their series against UC Davis beginning Saturday, April 18th. Kicking off the firs game of the doubleheader will be Chancellor Hu as will throw out the first pitch.
