Carlos Puma

Softball

Softball Drops First Big West Series Of The To Hawai'i, 2-1

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Honolulu- The UC Riverside Softball Team moves to 29-9 on the season after falling to Hawai'i, 3-0 and 1-0 in Sunday's double-header.

After a 2-1 victory in game one of their opening Big West series, the Highlanders and the Rainbow Wahine were unable to finish out the series on Saturday, Mar. 28 due to inclement weather.
 
The Highlanders were forced to wait out the weather and finish out their battle on Sunday. Taking the mound in both games today was ace pitcher, Chelsea Ponce. She boasts a 21-5 record after the weekend, recording eight strikeouts and giving up just five runs through three games and 17 innings pitched.

Today's outing is the first time the Highlanders have been denied a run since falling to Sacramento State, 1-0 Feb.15 earlier this year. After a scoreless three innings the 'Bows were able to push across tow runs in the bottom of the fourth inning off a double to that brought in two RBI. The very next inning, freshman Marcilena Valenzuela replaced Ponce on the mound, allowing the third run of the game, but gave up just three hits, striking out one, in nine batters faced.

In game two of the afternoon a pitching battled ensued as Ponce and Aina Cabrale of Hawai'i combined for six strikeouts and nine hits. The Rainbow Wahine scored the lone run of the final game of the series in the third inning off another double to bring in a runner that was positioned on first base.

The Highlanders are back in action Friday, April 3 as they host Long Beach State in their Big West home opener.