RIVERSIDE, Calif. - The Highlanders' effort in taking the series from Cal State Bakersfield was stopped by the Roadrunners' pitching staff. UC Riverside was only able to score one run and it was its only run in the past 18 innings.
The lone run for UC Riverside came in the fifth inning when
David Gibbs tripled to right field scoring
David Whittle. At that time the Highlanders trailed just 3-1. They had chances in the fifth and bottom of the sixth but could not get that big hit to potentially take the lead.
Where the Highlanders did not capitalize on opportunities, the Roadrunners did. In the top of the seventh they scored five times on three doubles and a home run. Couple that with a four run eighth inning and Cal State Bakersfield put the game out of reach.
Matthew O'Brien got the start and took the loss for UCR. He pitched five innings and gave up three runs.
Next up for UCR is CBU on Tuesday afternoon with the first pitch at 2PM. That game will be broadcast on ESPN+.