RIVERSIDE, Calif. - UC Riverside and Long Beach State engaged in a pitcher's duel for the second straight contest on Sunday afternoon at the LBSU Softball Complex, but the Highlanders were unable to salvage a game in a 1-0 defeat to the Beach to finish off the season series. 

Maddie Heinlin went 6.1 innings in the circle with just three hits allowed and five strikeouts, fanning at least five for the fourth time this season and second in her last three appearances. 

Both sides went down in order in the first innings before the second frame brought offensive life for both dugouts. Gigi Araki wore one on an 0-1 count and was later called out a second before Heinlin got the Highlanders out of a jam after allowing a Beach runner to reach third. 

UC Riverside saved the bulk of its offense for the last two frames, putting runners in scoring position in the sixth and seventh innings despite not being able to push either across. Long Beach State countered in the bottom of the seventh with an RBI single to center for the game's only run. 

UCR will open the home portion of the Big West schedule next weekend, welcoming Cal Poly to Amy S. Harrison Field starting on Saturday, March 25 at 1:00 p.m.