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Highlanders Swept By Gauchos

(April 3, 2005) - UC Riverside lost the finale, 8-0, of its three-game Big West Conference series against the UCSB Gauchos at Campus Diamond, in Santa Barbara, CA, Sunday. The Highlanders were swept during Saturday's doubleheader, 4-0 in game one and lost a heartbreaker, 2-0 after forcing the nightcap to 11 innings.

The Gauchos get back to .500 with the wins, standing 3-3 in conference and 17-13 overall. The Highlanders drop to 11-28 overall while still searching for their first conference win having dropped the last six straight conference games.

In the opener, UCR trailed from the first inning, as UCSB took a 4-0 lead into the top of the fifth off of one run in each of the previous four innings. The Gauchos held on to the 4-0 win, limiting UCR to only three hits. Gaucho pitcher Jennifer Davis also struck out eight batters. For UCR, starter Christin Songer took the loss and dropped to 4-10 on the season. Songer gave up six hits and three runs in two and a third innings of work.

Game two turned out to be much more of a battle and stretched to 11 innings, with the winning runs coming in the bottom of the 11th.

In a game that lasted nearly three hours, both hurlers pitched complete games, with Gaucho starter Lindsey Sommer edging the win over Highlander pitcher Sara Radabaugh. Sommer gave up seven hits, but no runs, two walks and four strikeouts. In 10.2 innings of work, Radabaugh allowed only five hits, but two runs, four walks and four strikeouts.

The Gauchos snagged the win in the bottom of the 11th, when the first baseman Lindsey Herrin homered to centerfield to score two thus ending the game.

In the finale it was all UCSB as the Gauchos got ahead quickly, taking a 4-0 lead into the top of the fourth. The game was cut short when, in the bottom of the fifth UCSB scored four to end the game by virtue of the mercy rule. Leadoff batter April Murray was the only offense the Highlanders saw all day, going 2-2.

Gaucho hurler Jennifer Davis held the rest of the Highlanders hitless and struck out eight, Davis improved to 10-6 with the win. Freshman Songer took the loss for the Highlanders, and fell to 4-11 on the season. Songer allowed five hits and four runs in three innings of work, while reliever Danira Iolamo gave up three hits and four runs in one and a third.

The Highlanders return to action April 9-10 when they will host Big West rival Cal State Fullerton in a three-game series at the Amy S. Harrison Field in Riverside, CA.

Highlanders Drop Two to Visiting Titans

(April 9, 2005) - UC Riverside dropped two games to the visiting Cal State Fullerton Titans, 8-4 and 3-1, in a Big West Conference match up at Amy S. Harrison Field, Saturday.

In the opener, the Titans quickly got out to a 3-1 lead by the bottom of the third inning off a pair of RBI doubles by Tiffany Hoff and Crystal Vievra and a Katie Gollhardt homer to left field. In the top of the fifth Fullerton added another five runs including a Candice Baker grand slam homer, upping the lead to 8-1.

In the bottom of the inning UCR countered. Right fielder April Murray singled to the pitcher to leadoff and center fielder Jaime Yee reached on a fielder's choice. Left fielder Jessica Black then singled to the pitcher advancing Yee and Melissa Sanchez crushed a homer to center field, her third of the season. However it would be the last offense any team would produce, and the Titans were able to hold on to for the 8-4 victory.

Titan pitcher Brooke Weekley improved to 3-3 after six innings of work and allowing six hits and four runs while striking out six. Closer Candice Baker allowed one hit and no runs in her one inning appearance. For the Highlanders, Sara Radabaugh dropped to 5-17 giving up eight hits and eight runs in four and a third innings. Freshman Christin Songer came in and allowed three hits with one strike out in two and two thirds innings.

In game two the Titans came out swinging again and took a 2-0 lead in the third. With one out Lindsey Bashor singled to second base followed by a fielders choice by Amanda Kamekona which advanced Basher to second. Both runners advanced on a ground out and then both scored when Candice Baker reached on error by the shortstop. The Titans scored again in the fifth to make the score 3-0 when Baker scored on a Ashley Van Boxmeer single to right center.

In the bottom of the sixth the Highlanders attempted a rally when Murray reached on a bunt single. One out later, Black then singled to left center to advance Murray, and Sanchez followed with another single to left center to drive in Murray for the run. In the bottom of the seventh UCR attempted the comeback charge when first baseman Jennifer Thompson hit a one out single, however it was all they could muster in the inning.

Titan pitcher Marissa Marzan pitched a complete game allowing only five hits and one run while striking out six batters and improving to 6-5. Freshman Highlander pitcher Danira Iolamo fell to 2-1 after pitching a complete game and giving up six hits and three runs while striking out two.

The third and final game of this series between the 11-30, 0-8 Highlanders and the 15-14, 6-2 Titans will be played at Amy S. Harrison Field at 12:00 pm on Sunday.

First Conference Win Stays Elusive as Highlanders Drop Finale to Titans

(April 10, 2005) - UC Riverside (11-31, 0-9) dropped the finale of its three-game Big West Conference series against Cal State Fullerton (16-14, 7-2), 7-4, at Amy S. Harrison Field, Sunday. The Titans swept the series 3-0.

Fullerton struck fist, taking a 2-0 lead in the third scoring off a Candice Baker single in the first inning and an error on the short stop in the third.

But he Highlanders evened up the score in the bottom of the third when with two outs, right fielder April Murray reached on a fielder's choice and then stole second followed by center fielder Jaime Yee getting a walk. Left fielder Jessica Black drove in Murray with a clutch double to left field and third baseman Melissa Sanchez scored Yee when she singled to left field. Shortstop Mandi Salcido grounded out to end the inning.

UCR would not be able to relish their comeback as Fullerton quickly countered scoring four runs in the top of the fourth, including a two-run double by third baseman Crystal Vieyra. The Titans tacked on another run in the top of the seventh to take the lead to 7-2.

UCR rallied in the bottom of the seventh when with two outs, Black bombed her second homer of the year over the left field wall to score Yee who had reached on a fielder's choice. It was all the rally the Highlanders were able to accomplish however, as Fullerton was able to get the third out when Sanchez struck out swinging.

Titan pitcher Marissa Marzan won her second straight game, pitching a complete seven innings and giving up nine hits and four runs and improving to 7-5. Freshman starter Christin Songer took the loss for the Highlanders, dropping to 4-12 on the season. Songer pitched 3.2 innings before reliever Danira Iolamo came in, Songer allowed seven hits and six runs.

UC Riverside next travels to Utah April 15-17 to play the first of four remaining non-conference games against the University of Utah, and a three-game conference series against Utah State. It will be the last time the Highlanders will meet the Aggies in Big West Conference play as Utah State is making the move to the Western Athletic Conference next year.

Utes Blank Highlanders, 5-0

(April 15, 2005) - UC Riverside (11-32, 0-9) dropped a single non-conference match up to the University of Utah (13-20), 5-0 at the Ute Softball Field, Friday.

Scoreless until the fourth inning, Utah scored a run when junior Ivette Hernandez homered to right center. The Utes tacked on another three in the fifth, as three consecutive players carded hits before the first out of the inning. The Utes scored one on an RBI single by sophomore Devina Quintero, with the other two runs coming on walks by reliever Highlander pitcher, Christin Songer who came in for starter Danira Iolamo.

The Ute final run came in the sixth, as freshman Diana Phillips hit what seemed to be a routine fly-ball to right center, however a collision between center fielder Jaime Yee and right fielder April Murray caused the ball to drop and Phillips to score.

Highlander starter Iolamo struck out four but gave up three runs off of six hits in 4.2 innings. Reliever Songer was in for a third of an inning and allowed one run. In the sixth, Sara Radabaugh entered and also gave up a run. Ute hurler Lindsie Nielsen improved to 5-10 with the win, pitching a complete game and striking out nine Highlanders. For UCR, Iolamo fell to .500 (2-2).

The Highlanders conclude their Utah road trip with a three-game series against Utah State in Logan over the weekend. It will be the last Big West Conference meetings of the two teams, as the Aggies are moving to the Western Athletic Conference next year.

Highlanders Achieve First Conference Win

(April 16, 2005) - UC Riverside (12-33, 1-10) split a pair of games with the Utah State Aggies (13-24, 3-11), 0-11 and 3-2 to win their first Big West Conference game of the season at Johnson Field, Saturday.

In the four-and-a-half-inning game one, it was all Aggies as USU jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning when Amy Schaible hit a home run, scoring Heather Haak and Quela Leonhardt. The Aggies added another four in the third, and four in the fourth to end the game by virtue of the mercy rule.

Junior hurler Leslie Higley improved to 8-10 as she held the Highlanders to two hits and struck out two in five innings of work. For the Highlanders, starter Danira Iolamo took the loss dropping below .500 for the first time this season (2-3). Iolamo pitched two innings allowing seven runs on five hits. Freshman Christin Songer allowed four runs off four hits in her two innings as a reliever.

Game two, however, was a far different story. Trailing by a run, UCR evened the score in the top of the third, when centerfielder Veronica Yee singled up the middle to start things off. She then advanced to second on a wild pitch, and left fielder Jessica Black singled, advancing Yee to third. Black was caught on the play trying to get to second. The Aggies then intentionally walked third baseman Melissa Sanchez, and shortstop Mandi Salcido walked to load the bases. First baseman Jennifer Thompson then reached on a fielder's choice, as Yee couldn't beat the play at the plate. Catcher Eliizabeth Buck then walked, which sent Sanchez home.

In the top of the fifth, UCR added another two runs, extending the lead to 3-1. Sanchez hit a leadoff single, followed by a single by Salcido. One out later, Buck singled to right center brining home pinch runner Kristen Dufrene and Salcido.

But the Aggies weren't going away without a fight. In the bottom of the sixth, they made the game 3-2 when Leos sent a sacrifice fly to left field to score Michell Vlahos. However, UCR was able to hold USU scoreless in the bottom of the seventh, and in the process gaining its first conference win of the season.

Aggie pitcher Heather Straight dropped to 1-6 with the loss, giving up two runs off nine hits in 3.2 innings of work. For the Highlanders, sophomore Sara Radabaugh (6-17) pitched a complete game, allowing only three hits and striking out eight. The eight strikeouts ties her season high, the other occurrence coming March 12 against Southern Utah during the Amy S. Harrison Classic.

The three-game series between the Highlanders and Aggies concludes on Sunday at Johnson Field in Logan, UT.

Highlanders Drop Finale at Utah State

(April 17, 2005) - UC Riverside (12-34, 1-11) dropped the finale of a three-game Big West Conference series against the Utah State Aggies (14-24, 4-11), 1-4 at Johnson Field, Sunday.

Scoreless until the fourth inning, the Aggies struck first, taking a 1-0 lead when with two outs, Heather Haak doubled to left field. Amy Schaible then doubled to right field to score pinch runner Shawn Bjarnson.

The Highlanders evened the score in the top of the sixth, when junior third baseman Melissa Sanchez reached on an error by the pitcher to leadoff. Sophomore catcher Eliizabeth Buck then reached on an error by the catcher, advancing pinch runner Kristie Martinez. Junior shortstop Mandi Salcido then slapped a single into right field to score Martinez.

It was all the offense that UCR was able to come up with in the inning, and the game, as in the bottom of the sixth, the Aggies tacked on another three off of two hits. The Highlanders committed two errors in the inning, the only two of the game.

Aggie pitcher Leslie Higley improved to 9-10, giving up seven hits while striking out seven. For the Highlanders, reliever Sara Radabaugh took the loss, dropping to 6-18. Radabaugh allowed three runs and two hits in one-and-a-third innings of work. Starter Danira Iolamo pitched four innings allowing one run and two hits while striking out one.

The Highlanders will stay on the road for a second consecutive week, April 23-24, when they travel to UC Davis for their last non-conference match up of the season. After the Davis series, UCR has three Big West match ups remaining, two of which will be at home.

Highlanders Split Doubleheader With Aggies

(April 23, 2005) - The UC Riverside Highlanders split a non-conference doubleheader with UC Davis Saturday, as the Aggies pulled out a 5-4 win in extra innings in game one and and the Highlanders bounced back to post a 4-3 win in the nightcap.

UC Davis moved to 6-38 after the split while UC Riverside is now 13-35.

In the opener, Eliizabeth Buck cracked a two run homer in the fourth inning and UCR added an unearned run in the fifth for a 3-0 lead. UC Davis cut the margin to 3-2 in the bottom of the sixth. UCR added another run in the top of the seventh on a Mandy Salcido RBI single. But Davis rallied in the bottom of the inning, and a two-run single by Megan DeLaHoya tied the game at 4-4. The Aggies had a shot to win in regulation with runners on second and third with just one out, but UCR reliever Christin Songer worked out of the jam.

The Highlanders loaded the bases with two outs in the 10th, and put the go-ahead run on third with one out in the 11th, but they could not bring her in.

In the bottom of the 11th, the Aggies got a two-out double by pitcher Rachel Kelly to score Stacy Benzing, who had walked, giving them the 5-4 win. Kelly threw all 11 innings, allowing 11 hits and four runs, improving to 4-13. Songer took the loss, falling to 4-13.

The Highlanders took the lead first in the nightcap as Salcido tallied a sacrifice fly and Dani Bishop added an RBI single. Davis scored single runs in the fourth and fifth to tie the game at 2-2, but UCR regained the lead with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth. With the bases loaded, April Murray delivered a fielders choice and Jamie Yee followed with an RBI single to give the Highlanders a 4-2 lead. The extra run would prove beneficial, as Davis scored a single run in the sixth to make the score 4-3. In the seventh the Aggies had runners on first and second with two outs, but Danira Iolamo got the third out on a ground out to record her first collegiate save. Starter Sara Radabaugh got the win, improving to 7-18. Lauren Pieretti took the loss in relief for the Aggies (0-2).

UC Riverside and UC Davis will complete their three-game weekend series with a single game on Sunday at noon at La Rue Field.

Highlanders Fall in Finale With Aggies

(April 24, 2005) - UC Riverside (13-36, 1-11) dropped the final game of its three-game, non-conference match up with UC Davis (7-38), 7-3, at LaRue Field, Sunday.

Scoreless until the third inning, the Aggies made the first move, opening up a 2-0 lead when Lindsay Tognetti grounded out to the second baseman to score Megan De La Hoya and Nikki Sheldon singled through the left side scoring Ashley Johnson.

But the Highlanders were able to even up the score in the top of the fourth. Centerfielder Jaime Yee singled up the middle to get things started. One out later, catcher Eliizabeth Buck walked, followed by a walk by shortstop Mandi Salcido. First baseman Jennifer Thompson reached on a fielder's choice as Yee scored on an error by Aggie pitcher Rachel Kelly. An out later, third baseman Kristie Martinez singled to right field to score Buck.

The Aggies countered in the bottom of the inning, taking a 3-2 lead when designated player Stacey Benzing homered to left field. Then in the bottom of the fifth, UCD added another four runs in similar fashion. Johnson homered to left field to leadoff, after which, Highlander reliever Sara Radabaugh came in for starter Danira Iolamo. Tognetti singled, and two outs later Benzing walked. The pitcher, Kelly, then homered to left center.

UCR attempted a comeback in the top of the seventh as right fielder April Murray singled to get things started. Yee then singled up the right side, and left fielder Jessica Black walked to load the bases for Buck, who singled to right field to score Murray. However, Kelly managed to get three consecutive outs to end the game.

With the win, Kelly improved to 5-13, striking out seven Highlanders and allowing three runs off of seven hits. Freshman hurler Danira Iolamo dropped to 2-4 with the loss, allowing four runs off six hits and striking out three. Radabaugh gave up two hits and three runs while striking out two in two innings. Iolamo has given up five home runs on the season, while Radabaugh has allowed 18.

UCR returns home next weekend as they host Pacific in a Big West three-game weekend series April 30-May 1 at Amy S. Harrison Field.

Highlanders Fall to Tigers in Doubleheader

(April 30, 2005) - The UC Riverside Highlanders (13-38, 1-13) dropped two games to the visiting University of Pacific Tigers (28-20, 10-4) 6-5 and 5-3 at Amy S. Harrison Field Saturday.

The opener was scoreless until the top of the fourth inning when the Tigers took a 4-0 lead off of a four base error by left fielder Jessica Black. UOP second baseman Lizzie Hagen sent a fly ball deep into left field where Black made a play for it at the fence, but the ball deflected off her glove, thus scoring catcher Ashlie D'Errico and left fielder Brandi Gordon. Later in the inning shortstop Michelle Anunciation singled to center to score right fielder Brittany Hyams. In the bottom of the inning, UCR added a run when Black crushed her third homer of the year over the center field wall.

Pacific took the lead to 5-1 in the top of the fifth when Hagen homered to left field, but UCR was quick to even up the score in the bottom of the inning. With one out, right fielder April Murray reached on an error by the first baseman and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Center fielder Jaime Yee then walked, and one out later, catcher Eliizabeth Buck was hit by a pitch to load the bases for third baseman Melissa Sanchez who bombed her fourth homer of the season far over the right field wall to tie things up at 5 apiece.

However, Pacific was able to get the game winning run in the top of the sixth when Gordon hit a sacrifice fly to center field scoring Hyams.

For the Tigers, hurler Natalie King pitched five innings for the win allowing four hits and striking out three to improve to 14-7 while reliever Alyce Jorgensen came in to pitch two innings to seal the deal for the Tigers. Highlander pitcher Danira Iolamo took the loss dropping to 2-5 on the season, pitching five innings and allowing eight hits before reliever Christin Songer came in to pitch the final two.

In game two, it looked like it was going to be all Pacific, as they got out to a 1-0 lead in the second when Gordon scored on an error by the second baseman. Then in the top of the fifth, the Tigers tacked on another four runs. Pinch runner Jennifer Harrell scored when Hyams reached on an error by the third baseman. One out later Gordon doubled to right center, and though being tagged out at third was able to score Jennifer Courtier, Gina Carbonatto and Hyams.

UCR refused to go down without a fight, and proved so in the bottom of the sixth, when Sanchez again homered after a fantastic at bat to score Yee and Murray. It would be the end of the attempted rally however, as Pacific held the Highlanders scoreless to end the game.

Tiger pitcher King again took the win, moving to 15-7 while Sara Radabaugh took the loss after pitching three innings and then being removed from the game after being hit by a single up the middle. Radabaugh dropped to 7-19 with the loss. Reliever Christin Songer came in to pitch the remainder of the game allowing five hits and four runs in four innings of work.

The Big West Conference series concludes Sunday at Amy S. Harrison Field with game time set at 12:00 PM.

Big Inning Leads UCR to 4-3 Win Over Pacific

(May 1, 2005) - The UC Riverside Highlanders used a four-run fourth inning rally to overcome a 3-0 lead and post a 4-3 win over the visiting University of the Pacific at Amy S. Harrison Field Sunday.

By salvaging the third game of the three-game series, UCR improved to 14-38 overall and 2-13 in the Big West, while UOP fell to 28-21 overall and 10-5 in the Big West.

UCR trailed 3-0 in the bottom of the fourth when designated player Kristie Martinez reached on a one-out walk. Second baseman Traci Bender followed with a double into the left field corner that scored Martinez to cut the margin to 3-1.

Right fielder April Murray then slapped a ball to UOP second baseman Lizzie Hagen, who had to rush her throw to try to beat the speedy Murray. The hurried through went over first baseman Jennifer Courtier for an error and Bender came around for UCR's second run.

Jamie Yee followed with a single that sent Murray to third and Jessica Black flew out to left, with Yee advancing to second on a throw to the plate by Brandi Gordon that forced Murray to hold. With two outs, first base open and the top UCR hitter Melissa Sanchez at the plate, Pacific appeared to be pitching around Sanchez, but the junior third baseman got a hold of a pitch and rifled it through the left-center field gap, scoring Yee and Murray to give UCR a 4-3 lead.

The one run lead was all that UCR freshman hurler Cristin Songer would need, as she improved to 5-13 by allowing three earned runs. seven hits and three walks while striking out five in seven innings of work. UOP's Alyce Jorgensen (10-9) took the loss in relief, allowing four runs, two earned, in 3.2 innings or work.

Early on however, it appeared that Songer's day might be brief as the first two Tiger batters, Gina Carbonatto and Michelle Anunciation each reached on singles and Jennifer Courtier loaded the bases on an error by UCR shortstop Mandi Salcido. However, after allowing a sacrifice fly to Gordon, she retired the next two batters to escape the inning without further damage.

The Tigers built the lead to 3-0 in the third inning when with one out Anunciation walked and Courtier hammered her 15th homer of the season over the center field wall.

UOP attempted to rally in the seventh as Brittany Hyams singled to center and Carbonatto followed with a single to left with one out. Anunciation was retired on a tough roller to Bender at second, advancing the runners to second and third with two out and Courtier coming to the plate. Without hesitation, UCR intentionally walked the slugger and Songer retired Gordon on a ground out to third to end the game.

The Highlanders hit the road next weekend for a conference series at Cal State Northridge on May 7 and 8, then return home for the final series of the year against Long Beach State on May 13 and 14.

Iolamo's Two-Hitter Gives Highlanders Split at Northridge

(May 7, 2005) - The UC Riverside Highlanders split a Big West doubleheader with the host Cal State Northridge Matadors Saturday. In the opener the Matadors rallied with two runs in the bottom of the seventh to post a 6-5 win, but the Highlanders bounced back in game two for a decisive 7-1 win behind a two-hitter by freshman Danira Iolamo.

Northridge moved to 15-20 overall and 4-13 in the Big West. UCR is now 15-39 overall and 3-14 in the Big West.

In the opener, the Highlanders held a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the sixth, having scored twice in the fourth as they took advantage of a pair of Matador errors, and once in the fifth on an RBI single by Jamie Yee. But Jan Moshier nailed a three-run homer to even the score. UCR scored twice in the top of the seventh on an RBI double by Kristie Martinez and a RBI single by Yee to take a 5-3 lead, but the Matadors bounced right back.

With one out, pinch-hitter Emilee Moorse walked and Janine Grund singled. UCR starter Christin Songer then walked Heather Martin to load the bases, and Coach Connie Miner went to her bullpen, bringing in Iolamo. However, Iolamo couldn't close the door, allowing CSUN to cut the lead to 5-4 on a bases loaded walk, then surrendering a pair of runs on a two RBI single by Kia Fennell.

Songer (5-14) took the loss, allowing six runs and seven hits while walking two and striking out four, while Erin Sigala (6-11) earned the win, scattering three earned runs and six hits in a complete-game effort.

In game two, the Highlanders got on the board early with a pair of first inning runs coming on an RBI single by Melissa Sanchez and a sacrifice fly by Eliizabeth Buck. The hits just kept on coming as they scored two more in the fourth on a Martinez RBI double and a Jessica Black bases-loaded walk, two in the fifth on a two-run double by Martinez and one in the sixth on an RBI single by Buck. Northridge scored a single run in the seventh and had the bases loaded, but Iolamo redeemed herself by striking out Martin to end the game.

Iolamo (3-5) earned the win with a complete game two-hitter, allowing one run, and three walks with six strikeouts. Buck, Martinez, Yee and Mandi Salcido each had two hits for the Highlanders, who had 11. The Matadors were held to the Grund double and a first-inning single by Moores. Fennell (4-1) took the loss for Northridge, allowing four runs, four hits and four walks in 4 1/3 innings with three strikeouts.

The teams will play the rubber game of the three game series Sunday beginning at 12:00 noon at Matador Diamond.

The Highlanders return home for the final series of the year against Long Beach State on May 13 and 14.

Matadors Outslug Highlanders, 9-3

(May 8, 2005) - CS Northridge's Kia Fennell allowed no earned runs in seven innings and Jan Moshier hit two homers and Heather Martin added a grand slam as the Matadors defeated UC Riverside 9-3 on Sunday at Matador Diamond.

The Matadors improve to 16-20 overall and 5-13 in Big West play with the win, while the Highlanders fall to 15-40 and 3-15 in league action.

Eliizabeth Buck's three-run homer in the first got the Highlanders started right. After April Murray reached on a leadoff error, Jamie Yee walked. Buck then hammered her fifth homer of the season to stake starter Danira Iolamo to a 3-0 lead.

Northridge scored a single run in the third, then scored six times in the fourth, the big blow coming on Martin's slam. CSN scored two more runs off of reliever Christin Songer to finish the afternoon.

Kristie Martinez went 2-for-2 for the Highlanders. Iolamo went 3 2/3 and gave up six runs, seven hits and three walks with one strikeout to fall to 3-6. Songer pitched the final 2 1/3, giving up three runs, six hits and one walk with one strikeout.

Fennell took command of the game from the circle, allowing only three hits and two walks with three strikeouts. Martin, Moshier and Moores, go 8-for-11 at the plate with six runs scored and eight runs batted in. Five other players also had hits for Northridge, which posted a season-high 13 hits.

The Highlanders return home for the final series of the year against Long Beach State on May 13 and 14.

Conference Champs Sweep Highlanders

(May 13, 2005) - The UC Riverside Highlanders (15-42, 3-17) dropped a pair of games to the visiting Long Beach State 49ers (38-14, 18-2), 5-3 and 3-2 at Amy S. Harrison Field, Friday.

Scoreless until the fifth inning, the Highlanders struck first, opening up a 2-0 lead, when, with one out first baseman Jennifer Thompson singled to center field and designated player Kristie Martinez singled through the right side. An out later, center fielder Jaime Yee singled to the shortstop driving in pinch runner Ynez Canela, and left fielder Jessica Black slapped a single up the right side to score Martinez.

The 49ers answered in the top of the sixth when center fielder Lauren Johnson doubled to center; second baseman Jessica Beaver then singled to left field and first baseman Oli Keohohou took a walk. Designated player Marcel Torres reached on a fielder's choice as catcher Eliizabeth Buck made a gutsy play at the plate to out Johnson. Right fielder Jonae Perez then hit a sacrifice fly to right field to bring home Beaver, cutting the Highlander lead to one.

In the bottom of the inning, UCR added another run when Thompson singled through the right side to score shortstop Mandi Salcido. However, in the top of the seventh Long Beach mounted a two-out rally. With left fielder Kourtnee Gervasi advancing to third on a wild pitch after doubling down the left field line, Johnson was intentionally walked, and Beaver took a walk to load the bases. Keohohou then singled to left field to score Gervasi, and Torres reached on an error by the third baseman, which gave Johnson the unearned run.

Once in extra innings, the 49ers scored the winning pair of runs when third baseman Melanie McCauley doubled to center field bringing home Tyler, and then pinch hitter Melissa Backstrom singled to left field to score McCauley.

Long Beach hurler Meredith Cervenka pitched a complete game allowing 11 hits but only three runs, all earned, while striking out three, and giving up no walks. Cervenka improved to 23-8 with the win. For the Highlanders, starter Danira Iolamo took the loss falling to 3-7, allowing five runs off eight hits and striking out one.

In game two, the 49ers came out swinging as Johnson homered to left field on the first pitch of the game. UCR countered in the bottom of the fourth when Martinez singled to center field to score Salcido.

The 49ers got the go-ahead runs in the top of the sixth when Tyler singled to right field to bring home Torres and McCauley grounded out to first base, which brought home Perez for the winning run.

In the bottom of the inning, UCR tried to come back when Black reached on an error by the second baseman and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Sanchez then singled to center field and Salcido doubled to left field scoring Black. It would be all the offense UCR could muster, as the 49ers were able to hold the Highlanders scoreless in the bottom of the seventh to hold on to the win.

For Long Beach, hurler Marcel Torres pitched a complete game, giving up nine hits and two runs while striking out five. Torres improved to 15-6 with the win. For the Highlanders reliever Christin Songer took the loss, pitching two innings and giving up two runs off two hits. Songer drops to 5-15 with the loss.

The final game of the series and the final home game of the 2005 series for UCR is Saturday, with game time set for 12:00 PM at Amy S. Harrison Field.

Highlanders Fall to Conference Champs in Season Finale

(May 14, 2005) -The UC Riverside Highlanders (15-43, 3-18) dropped their season finale to the visiting Long Beach State 49ers (39-14, 19-2), 5-0, at Amy S. Harrison Field Saturday.

Long Beach State struck early, getting out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning when center fielder Lauren Johnson reached on a bunt to start things off. Second baseman Jessica Beaver then reached on a fielder's choice to advance Johnson and the runners advanced on a wild pitch. First baseman Oli Keohohou then hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Johnson and designated player Marcel Torres reached on a fielder's choice which brought home Beaver.

The 49ers tacked on another run in the third when Beaver homered to left field, and added another in the fifth when third baseman Melanie McCauley singled to left field to score shortstop Lacy Tyler. In the seventh, Tyler homered to left field to close out the game.

Long Beach hurler Jennifer Martinez pitched a complete game for her first win of the season allowing three hits and no runs while striking out four. For the Highlanders, starter Christin Songer took the loss, dropping to 5-16 on the season. Songer pitched two innings, allowing four hits and three runs. Reliever Danira Iolamo pitched five innings, giving up six hits and two runs.

The Highlanders had three hits on the day and left seven runners on base. First baseman Jennifer Thompson had an outstanding defensive outing, getting 10 putouts on the day, including many full stretches to make plays on tough throws. Eliizabeth Buck, who suffered a leg injury Friday, pinch hit and slapped a single through the left side in the bottom of the seventh.

Sanchez, Yee Named to All-Conference Teams

(May 17, 2005) - Junior third baseman Melissa Sanchez and junior center fielder Jamie Yee were named to the Big West All-Conference teams Tuesday.

Sanchez received first team honors, while Yee was named honorable mention.

Sanchez, a 5-10 native of Rosemead, hit .295 with a team-high tying five homers and a team-high 35 RBI. She led the team with a .434 slugging percentage and had a .387 on base percentage, aided by a team-best 23 walks. It was the second year in a row that Sanchez earned first team honors. Sanchez was named to the Easton third team All-American softball team in 2004.

Yee, a 5-1 native of Milpitas, hit .273 with a .361 on base percentage. She scored 26 runs on the season, second to Sanchez's 27. She had 12 sacrifice hits and was nearly perfect in center field, committing just one error in 100 chances for a .990 fielding percentage. It is also the second year in a row that Yee has earned honorable mention honors.

Yee, Everhart to Participate in NCAA Leadership Conference

(May 20, 2005) - Junior softball player Jamie Yee has been selected by the NCAA to participate in the ninth annual NCAA Leadership Conference.

A total of 325 student-athletes representing all sports, from all divisions affiliated with the NCAA, will gather at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida for a five-day conference to develop and enhance their leadership skills and prepare them to be community leaders on their respective campuses.

“I’m very excited about representing UCR and Highlander Athletics at this conference. I am honored to be selected,” Yee said.

UCR submitted a slate of four nominees to the NCAA each year, and one of the four is selected to participate in the actual conference. The other three nominees this year were junior volleyball player Kymberly Murphy , freshman soccer player Steve Kaufman and sophomore track sprinter Akinyemi Ajayi.

As part of the conference agenda, each participant will develop a self-directed project to implement on their campus to address a need or concern. “I am looking forward to a great experience, and bringing back some good ideas to help continue our development as a competitive Division I program,” Yee said.

In addition to Yee’s participation, UCR’s CHAMPS/Life Skills Coordinator, Doug Everhart will participate in his fourth Leadership Conference. He spent three years, from 2000-2003 as a team facilitator for the conference. As a representative of UCR, as well as the 12-member NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills Advisory Team, he will be an administrative participant in this year’s conference.

“It was an absolutely amazing experience being a facilitator for this conference, but I'm really looking forward to getting a different perspective as a participant this time. I’m sure I will learn a great deal and feed off of the energy and enthusiasm of the student-athletes,” says Everhart.

For more information on the conference, visit the following link to the NCAA’s press release on the 2005 Leadership Conference:

http://www2.ncaa.org/media_and_events/press_room/2005/may/20050516_leadershipconf.html

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