Box Score FRESNO, Calif. – The University of California, Riverside (UCR) Highlanders kicked off the 2022 season with a night game on the road against Fresno State University at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium. The opening day bout against the Bulldogs is the first of three games between the two teams this weekend.
 
The Highlanders came into an early 1-0 lead with a run in the top of the second inning. Anthony Mata and Ely Stuart singled to get on first and second base. Joey Nicolai reached first base on a fielder's choice that sent Mata to third. Marcellus Pearson earned the first RBI of the season with a sacrifice fly to right field, sending Mata home.
 
Fresno State wasted no time answering back, with a two-run single up the middle bringing the Bulldogs up 2-1.
 
The Highlanders came right back with another sacrifice fly, this time from Sean McLeod, to even the score at 2-2 in the top of the third inning.
 
In the top of the seventh, Jacob Shanks got on base for the second time after being hit by a pitch. Shanks continued to advance on errors until making his way home and scoring the run to lift the Highlanders ahead of the Bulldogs, 3-2.
 
Fresno State responded in dramatic fashion with a three-run seventh inning, setting UC Riverside back two runs.
 
The Highlanders were unable to make up for the Bulldogs lead, and UCR fell to Fresno State with a final score of 5-3.
 
Jacob Shanks led his team offensively going 2-3. Zach Jacobs threw five innings with five strikeouts, letting up five hits and two earned runs.
 
The Highlanders continue the series at Fresno State tomorrow, February 19, with another night game scheduled for 6:05 PM.