Baseball Leaves 14 Runners On Base In 3-2, 11-Inning Loss To San Diego

San Diego, CA—The UC Riverside Baseball Team left 14 runners on base, including seven over the final four innings, as the Highlanders dropped a 3-2, 11-inning decision to San Diego Tuesday evening (Box Score).

Zach Varela made his first start as a collegian for UCR after 19 relief appearances, and he delivered 3.1 innings of scoreless baseball allowing just two hits and no walks.

Mark Garcia relieved Varela in the fourth, and took the shutout through the sixth before giving way to Kevin Sprague.

Toreros (25-15) starter Max Homick matched the duo going five innings and allowing no runs, three hits and zero walks.

The Highlanders (17-19) finally broke through in the top of the sixth as Phil Holinsworth's ground out to short scored Clayton Prestridge. Prestridge reached on a fielder's choice two batters earlier, and moved to third on a David Andriese single up the middle.

Kevin Sprague took over on the mound for UC Riverside in the bottom of the seventh and retired the first two batters with ease. But the next two Toreros laced singles into the outfield, and Jerod Smith reached on an error by Cody Hough scoring Connor Joe and tying the game at one.

The Highlanders regained the lead the very next inning, however, as Prestridge and Andriese drew consecutive walks to start the frame. After a Phil Holinsworth sac bunt, Kevin Davidson was intentionally walked to load the bases. Nick Vilter then lifted a sac fly to center to make it 2-1 UC Riverside.

Sprague went back out for the bottom of the eighth, but pinch hitter Grant Melker led off with an infield single to short, and closer Trevor Frank was summoned from the bullpen.

Kris Bryant greeted him with a single to center moving Melker to second, and a sac bunt advanced both runners up 90 feet. Frank then intentionally walked AJ Robinson to load the bases. The next batter, Dillon Haupt, worked a full count, and watched as ball four sailed by to force home the tying run.

With the bases still loaded, Joe lifted a fly ball to center that appeared deep enough to score Bryant, but Devyn Bolasky's throw home was right on the money, and Steponovich put the tag down to end the inning. Neither team scored in the ninth, and the game headed into extra innings.

The Highlanders threatened in the top of the 10th as Andriese led off with a double to left center, and Holinsworth moved him to third with a sacrifice bunt. Davidson drew a walk to put runners on the corners, but Vilter struck out, and Alex Rubanowitz grounded out to first for the third out of the inning.

Cody Rogina (0-1) took over on the mound for the Highlanders, and he held the Toreros in check with a scoreless bottom of the 10th.

UC Riverside got the lead off man on again in the top of the 11th thanks to a Steponovich walk, and had Bolasky bunt him to second. After Hough struck out swinging, Prestridge walked to put runners on first and second, but Andriese flied out to center as the Highlanders came up empty again.

It didn't take long for San Diego to win the game in their half of the 11th, as Haupt turned on the fourth pitch he saw and sent it over the left field fence to give the Toreros the victory.

The Highlanders return home this weekend to host UC Santa Barbara in a three-game Big West Conference series. First pitch Friday at The Plex is 6 pm PT.

Baseball Leaves 14 Runners On Base In 3-2, 11-Inning Loss To San Diego

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