Baseball Loses Doubleheader to Rider and San Francisco

Recap, photo courtesy of UC Riverside

SAN FRANCISCO—Unable to find much offensive consistency, the UC Riverside Baseball team took an 8-2 loss to San Francisco on Saturday.

After San Francisco scored a run in the bottom of the first inning, the Highlanders responded with two runs in the second, all with two outs. Alec Arnone walked and Dean Miller singled to center field, before Jacob Shanks doubled to left field to score Arnone. Miller scored after that on an errant throw from the shortstop.

Unfortunately, that would mark the only runs the team would score on the day. The team had its
chances though. After two quick outs in the sixth, a walk and a single put pressure on the Dons, but pinch hitter Matt Hardy struck out swinging.

The Highlanders didn't stop fighting until the last out was recorded. Dylan Orick singled to begin the inning, before another single by Arnone and a walk by Miller loaded the bases with two outs for Shanks. On a 2-1 count, Shanks flied out to center field to end the game.

Left-hander Shamus Lyons (2-2, 4.82) took the loss for the Highlanders, allowing three runs on eight hits over five innings. He also struck out five batters.

With new additions to the pitching staff and a few key bullpen pieces injured, head coach Troy Percival has done his best trying to figure out who is suited best for certain situations.

After Lyons exited the game, Kevin West allowed two runs on one hit in an inning of work. Jared Noonan then pitched a solid seventh inning, allowing no runs on no hits.

The Dons were able to get to right-hander Andre Granillo in the eighth inning. He loaded the bases after a hit-by-pitch and two walks. Robert Emery then hit a bases clearing double to give San Francisco an 8-2 lead.

The team will finish out the weekend with a doubleheader against Rider University and then San Francisco on Sunday. UCR took a 5-1 loss to Rider on Friday.