April 23, 2003

(Riverside, CA) -- The University of San Diego (6-36) dropped both contests today on the road at UC Riverside (11-36) by scores of 3-2 (9 innings) and 4-2. In the early game the Highlanders got things going in the 2nd inning as Melissa Sanchez, who had singled, scored on an error by third baseman Sara Mason to give UCR a 1-0 early lead.

The Toreros answered with two runs of their own in the third as Gina McFarland singled up the middle driving in two runs to give USD a 2-1 lead. Riverside got one run back in the 5th as Kristen Hernandez's RBI single to second scored Jeannine Robison, who had singled.

Finally in the 9th inning, Shannon Peterson's RBI single to center scored Robison, who had singled, to finalize the victory for the Highlanders. Kimberly Dillon (5-10) picked up the win for UCR allowing two hits in 6.1 innings of work. McFarland (3-12) took the loss for USD allowing three runs (two earned) on eight hits.

In the nightcap Riverside wasted no time scoring as the Highlanders put up two runs on two hits in the first inning. Shannon Peterson's sacrifice bunt scored Jamie Yee, who had tripled, to give the Highlanders their first run on the inning. Nicole Bethurum's RBI single up the middle scored Peterson to give UCR the early 2-0 advantage. UCR would jump out to a 4-0 lead with two runs in the bottom of the third.

San Diego got on the scoreboard in the 4th as Marissa Merchain reached on an error, allowing Desi Collo, who had tripled, to score and cut the lead to 4-1. The Toreros added one more run in the seventh as Ashlee Nunes, who had singled, scored on a wild pitch to give the game its final 4-2 score. UCR's Janell Jackson (2-17) earned the win while USD's Erin Harmonson (3-13) took the loss.

The Toreros return to the USD Softball Complex this Saturday and Sunday when they host Saint Mary's College in back-to-back double-headers that begin at 12 noon.