BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — UC Riverside split Saturday's doubleheader at CSU Bakersfield, dropping a tight opener before bouncing back with a 7-1 victory in the nightcap.

GAME ONE: CSU Bakersfield 2, UC Riverside 0

UC Riverside was held scoreless in the first game of the day despite a strong outing in the circle from Emory Cheng.

The Highlanders managed three hits in the contest, with Trendee Kahunahana, Hailey King and Arianna Saldivar each recording one. King added a double in the fourth inning, and UC Riverside also put runners aboard in the second after King reached on an error and Saldivar singled.

Cheng kept the game scoreless through five innings before CSU Bakersfield broke through with two runs in the sixth.

GAME TWO: UC Riverside 7, CSU Bakersfield 1

UC Riverside answered in the second game, using timely hitting and clean work in the circle to earn a 7-1 win.

The Highlanders struck for two runs in the second inning. Leilani Juan drew a walk, Gabriella Garcia followed with a single, and Arianna Saldivar brought home the first run with an RBI single. Amaree Arellano added a sacrifice bunt to plate another run and make it 2-0.

After CSU Bakersfield scored in the bottom of the second, UC Riverside added two more in the fifth. Trendee Kahunahana doubled, Rebeca Cabezas was hit by a pitch, and Juan singled and advanced to second on an error, bringing home two runs for a 4-1 lead.

The Highlanders put the game away in the seventh. Kahunahana opened the inning with a solo home run to left, Juan doubled, Garcia added an RBI single, and Saldivar followed with an RBI double to extend the lead to 7-1.

Kahunahana finished 3 for 4 with a double, a home run and two runs scored, while Juan went 3 for 3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Garcia added two hits and an RBI, and Saldivar collected two hits and two RBIs.

Bree Barner earned the win for UC Riverside, tossing a complete game and allowing one run on four hits.