Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Tempe, AZ- The UC Riverside Softball Team returned to the diamond Saturday morning after dropping its first game of the Kajikawa Classic to the University of the Pacific Friday, 1-0 in eight innings. The Highlanders split on day two, falling to Creighton in the first game of the day 5-2 and then nabbing their first victory of the 2015 season against Western Michigan, 7-1.

In game one of the day, freshman Rebecca Faulkner made her debut for the blue and gold, starting for the Highlanders and pitching five innings. The Blue Jays struck early with two runs crossing the plate in the first inning, causing the Highlanders to battle back from the start. UCR was successful in the third inning with Jenna Curtan and Shylene Helms crossing the plate, knotting the game 2-2. Faulkner gave up a total six hits leading to Creighton's five runs before being relieved by Marcilena Valenzuela. The Highlanders' nine hits weren't enough to generate the extra runs needed for a victory.

The Highlanders would move to 1-2 on the season after registering 10 hits in a victory over Western Michigan. Senior Chelsea Ponce would be credited for the win, pitching four innings before freshman Kaylynn Pierce would make her first appearance for UCR to close out the game. Pierce recorded four strikeouts and gave up two hits. The Highlanders flipped the script from last game, striking early by scoring six of their seven runs in the first two innings. Western Michigan would be held scoreless till the seventh inning, but it was too late as the Highlander lead was too large to overcome.

UC Riverside will be back in action Sunday, Feb. 8 for the final day of the Kajikawa Classic, taking on Seattle at 10:30 am PT and San Jose State at 2:30 pm PT.