RIVERSIDE, Calif. - UC Riverside hosted CSUN this afternoon to start a three game conference set against the Matadors. The Highlanders got off to a solid start, but a tough sixth inning proved too much to overcome.

Joshua Torres got the start for the Highlanders and pitched one of his best games of the year. The righty went five innings, scattered three hits and allowed only one run. This was his longest outing of the year. The lone run he gave up came in the top of the first on a sac-fly by Andrew Becker.

In the bottom of the second, on a 1-0 count,  Robert Pitts hit his fifth homer of the year to tie it up, 1-1. It was also his 16th RBI on the season. 

The Highlanders pushed a second run over in the third. UCR's Isaiah Hernandez squared up for a squeeze play as David Whittle broke for home. Hernandez missed the bunt, but reached on the dropped third strike. UCR took a 2-1 lead.

The game turned in the top of the sixth when CSUN put up seven runs in the inning and took command of the game. Cameron Calvillo singled to center to score Trent Abel and tying the game at two. A couple of errors by the Highlanders, coupled with some well placed hits led to the big inning and gave CSUN an 8-2 lead. 

Trailing 9-3 in the bottom of the ninth the Highlanders tried to get something going. With two on and two out former Matador Jarren Sanderson came up to the plate. On a 2-1 count Sanderson blasted his fifth homer of the season and the Highlanders had a bit of life. But the final Highlander was retired and game one went to the Matadors.

Game two is tomorrow afternoon at 2PM from The Plex. Read Full Article