Box Score Northridge- The UC Riverside Softball Team moves to 32-15 overall and 4-8 in the Big West after dropping a nail biter to CSUN, 7-6 after nine innings of play.

Starting on the mound for the Highlanders was Chelsea Ponce, who threw 3.2 innings, striking out four and giving up six hits before being relieved by freshman Rebecca Faulkner. Faulkner finished out the remainder of the game and was credited with the loss after five innings of work.

The Highlanders kicked off today's game with a 3-0 lead in the top of the first off a two-run homer by Faulkner over left field. UCR would go silent for the next three innings as the Matadors slowly took the lead scoring one run over the course of four innings.

Heading into the top of the fifth, down 4-3, the Highlanders were able to produce a response, pushing across two runs to take the lead 5-4. Senior Taylor Wright led off the inning with a single, followed by Chelsey Holley reaching first on a bunt and moving Wright to second. Pushing Wright and Holely into scoring position was Haley Harris who laid down a sacrifice bunt. Next up was Jenna Curtan who reached on a fielder's choice, scoring Nicolette Lujan from third who pinch ran for Wright. Back-to-back singles by Madeline Richard and Natalie Sanchez brought in the Highlanders second run.

The Matadors were able to answer with two runs of their own in the bottom of the fifth that included four hits and one miscue by the Highlanders defense.

UC Riverside scored what would be its final run of the game in the top of the sixth off of Faulkner's second of the game. She is second Highlander to hit two home runs in a single game as Sanchez hammered out two on the final day of the Amy S. Harrison Classic earlier this year.

After forcing two extra frames, CSUN snagged its victory off a single down the right field line to bring in a runner from second.

The Highlanders are back in action at Amy S. Harrison Field Saturday, April 25 as they host UC Davis beginning with a double header at 12 pm PT.