2001-02 Archive

Smith, Seuss and Anderson Sign Professional Contracts
(June 5, 2002) - Senior outfielder Adam Seuss, junior pitcher Chris Smith and junior catcher Jimmy Anderson have each signed professional contracts following their selection in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
Smith (Hesperia HS, Hesperia CA), a fourth round selection, and Seuss (Palm Desert HS, Palm Desert CA), a 36th round selction, signed contracts with the Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros, respectively, early last week.
They were joined in the professional ranks a few days later by Anderson (Riverside Poly HS, Riverside CA), a seventh round pick of the Mets who signed late last week.
The trio will see each other a lot as all three have been assigned to the Class-A New York-Penn League. Smith will play for the Lowell Spinners in Lowell, MA, Seuss will play for the Tri-City Valleycats in Troy, NY, and Anderson will play for the Brooklyn Cyclones.

Freshman A.J. Shappi Selected as Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American
(June 7, 2002) - Freshman right handed pitcher AJ Shappi has been selected to the Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American Team by Collegiate Baseball newspaper.
Shappi, a 6-2, 210 pound true freshman out of Esparanza HS in Yorba Linda, CA, posted a 6-3 record, 3.55 ERA and two complete games. He struck out 66 batters and walked 24, finishing the season as the Highlanders Friday starter.
"This is a tremendous accomplishment for A.J., and we are very happy for him," Coach Jack Smitheran said. "A.J. is the first of what we hope will be many Highlander All-Americans at the Division I level."
The complete team can be found collegiatebaseball.com.


UCR's Adam Seuss and Brian Wahlbrink Selected on Day Two of MLB Draft
(June 5, 2002) - Two-thirds of the UC Riverside Highlanders' starting outfield were selected on the second day of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, while a pair of high-profile incoming freshmen pitchers were also selected.
Senior outfielder Adam Seuss (Palm Desert HS, Palm Desert CA), a four-year starter for the Highlanders, was selected in the 36th round by the Houston Astros. Junior centerfielder Brian Wahlbrink (Canyon HS, Anaheim, CA) was selected by the San Diego Padres in the 42nd round.
Seuss, who was named Second Team All-Big West and who was selected as the UC Riverside Male Athlete of the Year for the 2001-02 school year, started all 58 games for the Highlanders and led the team with a .383 average, 22 doubles, and 50 RBI.
"We are thrilled that Adam will have this opportunity," UCR Head Coach Jack Smitheran said. "He has given his all to the program for four years and I am sure he will continue to do that at the professional level."
Wahlbrink, who has a year of eligibility remaining, hit .307 and led the Highlanders in runs scored with 54 and stolen bases with 25.
"Brian has a year of eligibility remaining, so selfishly we hope that he chooses to come back. Whatever happens we are happy that he has the opportunity to make that choice," Smitheran said.
One high school senior who had signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Highlanders had his names called on Wednesday. Left-handed pitcher Chad Decker (Valley View HS) was taken by the Rangers in the 24th round.
"He is one of our high-profile recruits. It is good to be drafted, but he could also increase hia draft value with three years of college ball. We will await his decision," Smitheran said.
On Tuesday junior right handed pitcher Chris Smith (Hesperia HS, Hesperia CA) was selected in the fourth round with the 118th overall pick by the Boston Red Sox and junior catcher Jim Anderson (Riverside Poly HS, Riverside CA) was taken in the seventh round with the 207th overall pick by the New York Mets.

UCR's Smith and Anderson Taken in MLB Draft
(June 4, 2002) - Junior right handed pitcher Chris Smith (Hesperia HS, Hesperia CA) and junior catcher Jim Anderson (Riverside Poly HS, Riverside CA) were selected in the Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft on Tuesday. Smith was selected in the fourth round with the 118th overall pick by the Boston Red Sox, while Anderson was taken in the seventh round with the 207th overall pick by the New York Mets.
Smith, who earned Big West Pitcher of the Week honors in the final week of the season with a 15-strikeout performance at UC Irvine, and was named second team All-Big West, posted a 9-8 record and a 2.91 ERA for the Highlanders. He broke a school record with 127 strikeouts and had a team-high eight complete games.
Anderson was the Highlanders' starting catcher. He batted .301, with a team-high eight homers and 47 RBI. He stole 14-of-20 bases.
"We are thrilled for both Chris and Jimmy. We are excited that they will have the opportunity to establish themselves as pros," UCR Coach Jack Smitheran said. "On one hand we hope they go on to have tremendous professional careers, but on the other hand we also wish they could come back to finish their careers as Highlanders. Whatever happens, we wish them the best of luck."

Scott Powis Earns Academic All-Big West
(June 3, 2002) - Sophomore Scott Powis (Riverside, CA) earned Academic All-Big West Conference honors, as announced by the conference on Monday.
To be eligible for the All-Academic team, student-athletes have to maintain a 3.2 cumulative grade point average, have attained a sophomore standing academically and competed in at least 50 percent of their team's contests.

Three Highlanders Named to All-Big West Teams
(May 28, 2002) - The UC Riverside Highlanders capped off their first year of Division I competition by placing three players on the All-Big West teams, as voted on by the coaches.
Senior outfielder Adam Seuss (Palm Desert, CA) and junior pitcher Chris Smith (Hesperia, CA) were named to the second team. Junior second baseman Randy Blood (Costa Mesa, CA) was named honorable mention
Seuss started all 58 games for the Highlanders and led the team with a .383 average, 22 doubles, and 50 RBI. Smith was the ace of the staff and finished with a 9-8 record and 2.91 era while also throwing eight complete games. He also broke a school record with 127 strikeouts. Blood hit .301 and had 15 doubles and knocked in 28 runs.


Chris Smith Named Pitcher of the Week
(May 28, 2002) - UC Riverside junior Chris Smith (Hesperia, CA/Hesperia HS) was named the Big West Pitcher of the Week for his performance against UC Irvine.
The right-hander set a UCR single-game school record with 15 strikeouts in an 8-2 victory over the Anteaters on Saturday at Anteater Ballpark. He hurled his eighth complete game of the year, allowing just six hits, two runs and two walks.
Smith finished the season with 127 strikeouts, which also established a school record, eclipsing Daron Kirkreit's previous top mark of 112 strikeouts in 1993.

Highlanders Fall in See-Saw Game, 10-9
(May 26, 2002) - UC Irvine first baseman Matt Anderson singled off of reliever Dan Ellis to score the game-winning run to hand UC Riverside a 10-9 defeat Sunday at Anteater Ballpark.
The Highlanders jumped out early on run-scoring hits by Adam Seuss and Tony Festa to take the 2-0 lead, but the Anteaters quickly answered in their half of the inning on Chris Klemm's two-run triple to tie the game. The Highlanders added two more runs in the second inning on a UCI error to score Scott Powis and Seuss' second RBI of the game to score Brian Emmons.
UCI took a 5-4 lead in the fifth as Anderson and Chris Miller were pushed across the plate on a ground out and a single.
The Highlanders built an 8-5 lead with a four-run eighth highlighted by a three-run homer by Emmons. But UCI bounced back to take a 9-8 lead in the bottom of the eighth behind a RBI double and a three-run home run by Chris Miller, his 12th of the year.
With two outs in the ninth Jimmy Anderson drove in Jason Collette to tie the game at 9-9, but they could not put the go-ahead run across.
UC Irvine took the series and improved to 33-26 overall and 14-10 in the Big West. UC Riverside falls to 30-28, 10-14. Anteater reliever Michael Koehler recorded his first win of the year with 2/3 innings of no-run, one-hit relief, while UCR's Cordell Perkins fell to 3-3 after giving up a run on two hits in an inning of work.


Smith Breaks Records, Smitheran Gets 900th UCR Win in 8-2 Victory
(May 25, 2002) - UC Riverside head coach Jack Smitheran got his 900th win as the Highlander skipper and starter Chris Smith set a UCR school record with 15 strikeouts as UCR improved to 30-27 (10-13 Big West) with an 8-2 win over UC Irvine Saturday at Anteater Ballpark.
Smith (9-8) threw a complete-game six hitter, allowing just two runs in the eighth inning. His 15 strikeouts eclipsed the mark accomplished most recently by Daron Kirkreit in 1992 against Cal State Los Angeles. His total of 127 strikeouts is a single-season school record, bettering Kirkreit's 112 from 1993. It was his eighth complete game of the year.
UC Riverside opened the scoring in the top of the third when Jimmy Anderson reached on an UCI error, then later came around to score on the second error of the inning following a bunt single by Brian Wahlbrink. Moments later the Highlanders chased starter Michael Koehler (0-3) from the game, scoring three more runs on RBI doubles by Adam Seuss and Tim Faulkner and an RBI single by Randy Blood to give them a 4-0 lead.
Anderson smashed a solo home run to lead off the fourth and then scored his third run of the game in the top of the eighth when UC Riverside's Brian Emmons hit a three-run shot off of reliever Keith Raulinaitis as the Highlanders jumped out to an 8-0 lead.
The Anteaters avoided the shutout in their half of the eighth when Matt Anderson hit a two-run single up the middle to score B.J. Eucce and Gregg Wallis.
Highlanders Fall to UCI, 8-3
(May 24, 2002) - UCR Designated Hitter Adam Spiker's bases-loaded triple gave the Highlanders an early 3-0 lead, but it was not enough as the UCI Anteaters responded with eight unanswered runs to win the opener of the teams' three game series, 8-3 Friday at Anteater Ballpark.
UC Irvine scored four runs in the bottom of the second off of UCR starter A.J. Shappi (6-5) to take the lead. Anteater catcher Chris Miller added to the lead in the bottom of the third, hitting his 11th home run to set a new UCI single-season record. Miller struck again in his next at-bat, capping the scoring with a two-run single.
Shappi surrendered seven runs on eight hits in 3 2/3 innings. Jaymie Torres allowed just three hits over the remaining 4 1/3 innings, striking out five. It was Torres' third straight solid outing after a rough pitching debut earlier this season.
Adam Seuss led the Highlanders with two hits in four at bats.

Seniors Spiker, Seuss Lead UCR to 7-5 Win in Home Finale
(May 19, 2002) - Senior Adam Spiker hit a game-tying home run in the seventh and senior Adam Seuss hit a game-winning RBI single in the eighth as the Highlanders erased an early 5-1 deficit to defeat the Cal Poly Mustangs 7-5 in their home finale at the Riverside Sports Complex on Sunday.
The Mustangs (28-28, 13-8) jumped out to an early 5-1 lead on Highlander starter Matt Thiessen, but a three run sixth inning brought the Highlanders back. Spiker led of the inning with a single and moved to third on a double by Jimmy Anderson. Scott Powis grounded out to short, scoring Spiker and Brian Wahlbrink followed with a RBI single to pull the Highlanders 5-3. Wahlbrink stole second and scored moments later on a RBI single by Seuss.
Trailing 5-4 with two outs in the seventh, Spiker hit a game-tying solo home run over the batters-eye in center field to knot the game at 5-5. The shot was estimated at approximately 420 feet.
An inning later, Seuss hit a two-out run scoring single to right, plating Powis to give the Highlanders a 6-5 lead. Seuss moved to second on a passed ball and then scored on a RBI single by Randy Blood to complete the comeback.
In his final home game, Seuss went 2-for-4 with a run and two RBI. Fellow senior Spiker finished the afternoon 3-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored. Tim Faulkner, the Highlanders third graduating senior finished 1-for-4.
The win improves UCR to 29-26, (9-12) giving head coach Jack Smitheran his 899th win at UC Riverside. Earlier this season, Smitheran won his 1,000-career game.
Julio Fernandez (5-5) got the win pitching 1.2 innings of scoreless relief. Nolan Moser (1-1) took the loss for the Mustangs.

Kougl, Cal Poly Down UCR 6-3
(May 18, 2002) - Josh Kougl threw a complete game and the Cal Poly Mustangs broke open a close game with three runs in the seventh inning to propel them to a 6-3 win over the UC Riverside Highlanders at the Riverside Sports Complex Saturday.
With the loss, UCR falls to 28-26 (8-12), while Cal Poly improves to 28-27 (13-7).
With one out in the seventh, Bryan Gant, Kyle Wilson and Brian Haskell had consecutive singles, with Gant scoring to put the Mustangs up 4-2. Highlander starter Chris Smith (8-8) then balked, scoring Wilson. After a strike out, Highlander shortstop Scott Powis committed an error on a grounder, allowing Haskell to move to third. Haskell scored moments later on a wild pitch by Smith, giving the Mustangs a 6-2 lead.
Smith pitched seven innings, allowing six runs - two earned - and 10 hits, while striking out eight. Jaymie Torres pitched the final two innings, retiring all six batters he faced and striking out three.
In the eighth, Adam Seuss doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Tony Festa to pull the Highlanders to 6-3. But UCR could do no more against Kougl (2-0) who went the distance, allowing three runs on 11 hits and striking out five.
Powis led the Highlanders with three hits and Seuss and Randy Blood had two each.
Cal Poly Downs UCR in Thirteen Innings
(May 17, 2002) - Jason Barringer's three-run double off of reliever Matt Thiessen in the top of the 13th inning, gave the Cal Poly Mustangs an 11-8 win over the UC Riverside Highlanders at the Riverside Sports Complex Friday.
With the loss, UCR falls to 28-25, (8-11), while Cal Poly improves to 27-27, (12-7). Thiessen came into the game in relief of Cordell Perkins (3-2), who walked the first two batters he faced before giving up a single to Adam Leavitt. Thiessen relieved and struck out Chalon Tietye on three pitches, before Barringer crushed a shot to right center that center fielder Brian Wahlbrink could not get a glove on. Three runs scored before Berringer was gunned down at third.
Mike Bille (3-0) got the win, throwing 4.2 innings of relief.

UCR Baseball To Wrap Up Home Schedule With Cal Poly
(May 16, 2002) - The UC Riverside Highlanders will host the visiting Cal Poly Mustangs in the final home series of the year this weekend at the Riverside Sports Complex.
The teams will square off on Friday night at 7:00 PM, then will return for single games on Saturday and Sunday, both at 1:00 PM.
The Mustangs are currently tied for third place in the Big West Conference with Long Beach State at 11-7. UC Riverside is in fifth with a record of 8-10.

Highlanders Fall to Bruins, 4-3
(May 14, 2002) - Surprise starter Jaymie Torres allowed just seven hits and four runs, two earned, in five and two-thirds innings of work, but was the hard luck loser in a 4-3 decision at Jackie Robinson Stadium at UCLA Tuesday.
Torres (0-1), a converted outfielder making his first collegiate start, struck out seven Bruins before being lifted in the sixth for left-handed specialist Mike Curcie.
The Highlander defense hurt Torres, as shortstop Scott Powis committed a pair of errors that led to two unearned runs. The Bruins scored once in the first, fourth, fifth and sixth.
The Highlanders tied the score in the top of the third. Brian Wahlbrink drew a leadoff walk from pitcher David Johnson, and advanced to second on Adam Seuss' single. Wahlbrink came around to tie the game on a RBI single by Jimmy Anderson. UC Riverside took the lead in the fourth when Adam Spiker hit a solo home run off of Johnson, his third of the season.
UCLA tied the game in the bottom of the fourth as Powis' mishandled Ryan McCarthy's hard ground ball allowing the tying run to score. The Bruins took the lead again in the fifth inning when Wes Whisler came around to score on a single.
Powis made up for his fielding mistakes by hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning to tie the game at 3-3. But it would be the last scoring that the Highlanders could muster as the Bruins scored the winning run in the sixth.
UCLA's Chris Cordeiro picked up his second save of the season with 2.1 innings of work, allowing just one hit. Kyle Wilson picked up the win for UCLA, improving to 2-0.

Emmons Double Helps UC Riverside Beats No. 17 Fullerton, 10-8
(May 12, 2002) - First baseman Brian Emmons doubled in a pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth off All-American Chad Cordero to break an 8-8 tie and send UC Riverside to a 10-8 win over No. 17 Cal State Fullerton in a Big West Conference game at Goodwin Field on Sunday afternoon.
The win snapped the Titans four-game winning streak, dropping them to 34-17 overall and 14-7 in conference. The Highlanders moved to 28-23 overall and 8-10 in the Big West.
Cordero (4-3) came on with no outs in the eighth and a two-run cushion, but surrendered a pair of runs in the eighth and two more in the ninth. Emmons, who had an eighth-inning pinch-hit double, scored the tying run in the eighth, then drilled a two-run double to the right-center field alley with one out in the ninth.
Fullerton had taken an 8-6 lead in the sixth on a two-run single by Comfort and a one-run single by David Fischer, but Riverside's Julio Fernandez (4-5) allowed just two base runners over the last three innings and neither could move into scoring position.
Fischer, who twice tied the game with home runs - hitting a three-run blast off Riverside starter Matt Thiessen in the first and a solo blast off Fernandez in the third - finished 3-for-4 with a career-high five RBI. Adam Seuss and Randy Blood each had three hits for the Highlanders, who tallied 15 overall, the most off the Titans in more than two months.
Sophomore starter Travis Ingle allowed five runs on six hits. Darric Merrell (four innings, two runs) made his first relief appearance in 32 outings and was in line to win before Cordero blew the save for the third time this season.

UC Riverside Loses to No. 17 Fullerton, 6-3
(May 11, 2002) - Fullerton's Jordan DeJong and Chad Cordero combined to strike out 15 batters as No. 17 Cal State Fullerton beat UC Riverside, 6-3, in a Big West Conference game at Goodwin Field Saturday night.
DeJong (9-3) allowed just two earned runs on five hits in 7.1 innings, while striking out a career-high 10 batters. Cordero pitched the final 1.2 innings, notching all five outs by way of strikeout, to earn his 12th save.
For the second consecutive night, Riverside struck first as Adam Spiker singled in Timothy Faulkner in the second for a 1-0 lead. But the Titans scored in each of the next four innings. Justin Smyres had a two-run single with two outs in the second to give the Titans the lead for good. David Fischer added a sac fly in the third and Shane Costa, who was a homer shy of hitting for the cycle, doubled in a pair of runs in the fourth. Fullerton grabbed a 6-1 lead in the fifth when Fischer led off with a double and scored on consecutive passed balls.
DeJong, who allowed just two hits over the first five innings, surrendered a pair of hits and walked a batter in the sixth as Faulkner's RBI-double closed the gap to 6-3, but that was a close as the Highlanders (27-23, 7-10) could get.

UC Riverside Falls to No. 17 Fullerton, 11-5
(May 10, 2002) - Sophomore righthander Wes Littleton picked up his ninth win and No. 17 Cal State Fullerton racked up 17 hits en route to an 11-5 win over UC Riverside in a Big West Conference game at Goodwin Field Friday night. The Titans improved to 33-16 overall and 13-6 in conference. Riverside fell to 27-22 and 7-9.
The Highlanders hit Littleton, who gave up a season-high five earned runs on eight hits and hit three batters, but he improved to 9-3 and maintained an impressive ERA (1.88). Sean Martin pitched the final two innings and earned his first save.
Chris Klosterman was 3-for-3 with his third home run and Justin Smyres also had three hits. Five Titans had two RBI each, including a pair of first basemen, starter Richie Burgos and reserve Nick Fitzgerald, who entered the game in the eighth. Over its last five games, Fullerton is batting .394 and averaging more than 10 runs a game.
After the Highlanders took a 1-0 lead in the first on a Tony Festa single, the Titans jumped on Riverside's AJ Shappi (6-4) for three runs in the bottom half of the inning. The first three batters singled and Burgos followed with a two-run double to deep left field.
Fullerton again loaded the bases with no outs in the second and scored two more runs. Shane Costa was hit by a pitch for the 20th time this season to force in Klosterman and Geoff Comfort lifted a sac fly to left field. A three-run eighth that featured Klosterman's two-run shot over the scoreboard in left field gave the Titans an 8-1 cushion.
But Littleton hit a pair of batters in the seventh as Riverside scored once and then surrendered a three-run homer to Timothy Faulkner in the eighth.

Highlanders Sweep UCSB With 9-5 Win
(May 5, 2002) - The UC Riverside Highlanders (27-21, 7-8 BWC) capped a three-game sweep of UC Santa Barbara (17-29, 3-13 BWC) with a 9-5 Big West Conference win, Sunday afternoon at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium in Goleta.
Highlander starter Matt Theissen settled down after the third inning, holding the Gauchos scoreless in his final four innings pitched. Thiessen (5-1) struck out 11 in seven innings of work. Julio Fernandez pitched two innings of shutout ball in relief.
Matt Moran (1-3) took the loss for the Gauchos, giving up seven runs in 2.1 innings pitched. Eric Posthumus came in to relieve Moran in the third, and held UC Riverside to two runs in 4.1 innings pitched while striking out five. James Dayley went the final 2.1 innings, striking out three.
After Ryan Spilborghs' 13th home run of the season in the third inning, the Gaucho offense shut down, failing to score the rest of the game, while the Highlanders put up four more runs.
Brian Wahlbrink led the way offensively for UC Riverside, smacking his second homer of the season, going 2-for-5 with three RBI. Tim Faulkner also had a good day at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two runs scored and a double. For the third straight game, the Gauchos failed to get ten hits, batting .221 in the series.

Highlanders Defeat UCSB, 11-2
(May 4, 2002) - UC Riverside starter Chris Smith pitched a complete game six-hitter to help the Highlanders to a 3-2 win over host UC Santa Barbara at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium in Goleta Saturday.
The UC Santa Barbara (17-28, 3-11 BWC) offense was held in check by Smith (8-6), who surrendered a pair of second inning runs but no more. He had nine strikeouts in the game.
The Highlanders (26-21, 6-8) scored a pair of runs in the second off of Gaucho starter Sean Thompson (2-3), who struck out five in eight innings. Then UCR scored the go-ahead run in the third when Scott Powis stole third base and catcher Taylor Vogt's throw went into left field to score Powis. The shortstop also led the Highlanders at the plate, going 3-for-5 with two runs and two stolen bases.

Highlanders Defeat UCSB, 11-2
(May 3, 2002) - Freshman starter AJ Shappi allowed two runs and six hits over seven innings of work and the Highlanders batted around in the second and third innings en route to an 11-2 win over the UCSB Gauchos at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium in Goleta Friday.
Shappi struck out eight on the afternoon and earned his sixth win of the season against three losses. David Gibson wrapped up the game with two innings of scoreless relief.
The Highlanders scored five times in the second inning, putting together four hits, a walk and a hit batsman.
They repeated the feat in the next inning as Tim Faulkner led off the next inning with his third homer of the season and the Highlanders tacked on three more to put the game out of reach.
Eight of the nine Highlander starters had hits and every player had at least one run or RBI in the game. Junior second baseman Randy Blood had a 3-for-3 day, while junior catcher Jimmy Anderson was 3-for-6 with two RBI.

Pacific Takes Rubber Game 15-6
(April 27, 2002) - The Tigers jumped out to an early eight run lead en route to a 15-6 victory taking the rubber game of the series against the Highlanders, at the Riverside Sports Complex on Sunday.
The Tigers (24-17, 5-7) scored four runs in the first on four consecutive singles and a double steal. Aaron Harper singled with one out and Tim Gilhooly followed with a single. James Stanford singled to load the bases, and Michael Fitzgerald lined a two run single to left field to put UOP on the board.
Fitzgerald stole second and Stanford stole home on a double steal to tally the third Tiger run of the inning. Highlander starter Julio Fernandez (3-5) struck out Adam Alverson before yielding a two-out, run scoring single to left field to Jason Jodlowski and the Highlanders found themselves in an early 4-0 hole.
Fernandez did not survive the third allowing three consecutive singles the last of which a run scoring single by Allen Alverson. Matt Thiessen came into relive with the bases loaded, and surrendered a two run single to Joel Summers and the Tigers led 8-0.
UC Riverside mounted a comeback in the sixth inning as Andy Clay doubled and Adam Seuss drew a walk before Jimmy Anderson launched his seventh home run of the season to pull the Highlanders to 8-3.
Pacific got the runs back in the top of the seventh with a five-run inning highlighted by a two-run single by Nick Sedaya. Timothy Faulkner singled and scored on a wild pitch to pull to 13-4.
After the Tigers added two runs in the top of the ninth, Randy Blood smashed a two run home run to right field to complete the scoring.
Anderson and Blood led the Highlanders going 2-for-4 with a home run each.
Matthew Pena (3-5) got the win going 6.1 innings allowing four runs and six hits.


Pacific Ace Downs UCR 4-1
(April 26, 2002) -University of Pacific ace James Stanford limited UCR to four hits in a complete game effort, as the Tigers defeated the Highlanders 4-1, at the Riverside Sports Complex on Saturday.
The Tigers (23-17, 4-7) got on the board in the second as Adam Alverson singled, moved to second on a ground out and scored on a RBI single by Jeff Jodlowski. The Tigers added a run in the third as Tim Gilhooly singled and scored on an error by Highlander third basemen Tony Festa.
That was more than enough for Stanford (8-1) who limited the Highlanders to one run on four hits and striking out eight in gaining the victory.
UOP added two insurance runs in the fourth as Joel Summers lined a two-run single to center scoring Octavio Amezquita and Jodlowski for a four run Tiger lead.
The Highlanders (24-20, 4-7) finally got on the board in the seventh as Festa doubled in Adam Seuss and the Highlanders trailed 4-1, and would get no closer.
Highlander starter Chris Smith (7-6) took the loss pitching 8.1 innings allowing four runs - three earned - on eight hits and striking out 11.
Shappi , Festa Lead UCR Over Pacific 8-4
(April 26, 2002) - Tony Festa had a home run and three RBI to support AJ Shappi's 8.2 strong innings to lead the Highlanders to an 8-4 victory over the University of Pacific Tigers, at the Riverside Sports Complex on Friday.
The Highlanders (24-19, 4-6) faced an early 1-0 hole as Joel Summers led off the game with a double, and Aaron Harper reached on a Scott Powis error. Shappi then struck out Tim Gilhooly looking before Cory Lake singled, scoring Summers. The Tigers (22-17, 3-7) loaded the bases when James Stanford reached on an error, but Shappi induced Michael Fitzgerald to hit into an inning ending double play to escape the jam.
UC Riverside took the lead for good in the fourth as Adam Seuss singled and scored on Festa's two-run home run to right field and UCR led 2-1.
UCR added to the lead in the fifth when Brian Emmons doubled and scored on a Brian Wahlbrink double. After a Seuss fly out, Anderson drew a walk. Festa lined a two-run single to left to score Anderson and Wahlbrink, from second and third after a successful double steal. Festa stole second and scored on a RBI single by Timothy Faulkner and a 6-1 UCR lead.
That was more than enough support for Shappi the freshman right-hander came within one out of recording his third complete game, pitching 8.2 innings allowing four runs on nine hits and striking out seven. Matt Thiessen recorded the final out for his first save of the year.
In the sixth the Tigers came back on Shappi, plating three runs on a Stanford two run single, and a RBI single by Adam Alverson to pull to 6-4.
The Highlanders scored two insurance runs in the bottom half of the sixth on a RBI single by Brian Emmons and a sacrifice fly by Jason Collete for an 8-4 lead.
Festa paced the Highlanders going 3-for-3 with a home run and three RBI. Randy Blood also had three hits for the Highlanders. Joel Lozano (4-3) took the loss surrendering eight runs on ten hits in five innings pitched.

Highlanders Lose Rubber Game to Wildcats, 13-5
(April 21, 2002) - The Highlanders dropped the rubber game of the three game series with Arizona, 13-5 at Frank Sancet Field on Sunday. The victory gave the Wildcats a two-to-one series victory and improved their overall record 27-16 for the season. The Highlanders fell to 23-19 with the loss.
Arizona exploded for seven runs in the fifth inning, turning a close 1-0 lead into an eight run advantage. Senior Justyn St. Clair opened the scoring in the fifth with a one-out RBI single that plated Moises Duran from second. Sophomore Brian Anderson scored Brad Hassey in the next at-bat before Chris Cunningham drilled UCR's Julio Fernandez's offering to the gap for a two-run double and a 5-0 Wildcat lead.
Cunningham came around to score on a potential inning-ending double play ball off the bat of Pat Reilly that cut down the previously walked Marc Kaiser at second. However, UCR shortstop Scott Powis' throw on the turn evaded first baseman Brian Emmons' reach for an error, allowing Reilly to advance to second and Cunningham to score. Freshman John Hardy made the Highlanders pay for the defensive miscue with his fourth home run of the season, a two-run blast that soared over the leftfield fence to give the Wildcats an 8-0 lead.
UCR answered with three runs in the top of the sixth on an Adam Seuss homer off of Arizona starter Joe Little, but Hassey launched his fifth home run of the season to leadoff the bottom of the inning to push Arizona's lead to 9-3.
UCR pulled within four at 9-5 with two runs in the eighth before the Wildcats put the game out of reach with four of their own in the home half of the inning.
Fernandez (3-4) was charged with his fourth loss of the season, giving up seven runs on eight hits in 4.1 innings.

Highlanders Cruise Over Wildcats, 12-5
(April 20, 2002) - The Highlanders scored six runs in the fifth inning and starter Chris Smith tossed a complete game as the Highlanders defeated Arizona 12-5 at Frank Sancet Field on Saturday night. The Highlanders rapped out 12 hits in the game to improve to 23-18 for the season. The loss, just the seventh of the season at home for Arizona, drops the Wildcats to 26-16 overall.
Smith (7-5) struck out six and walked two in his team-leading sixth complete game of the season
Trailing 1-0, Brian Emmons opened the scoring for the Highlanders with a two-run double in the top of the fifth. A throwing error by John Hardy on Brian Wahlbrink's grounder to third led to another run and a 3-1 UCR lead. Jimmy Anderson plated Wahlbrink two batters later with a single to right and came home to score on Tony Festa's first home run of the season to complete the six-run inning.
After Arizona answered with three runs in the bottom of the fifth to cut the lead to 6-4, but UCR added three more in the top of the sixth, one in the seventh and two in the eighth to take a commanding lead. Festa and Randy Blood had homers for the Highlanders. The Wildcats scored one in the bottom of the ninth before succumbing to Smith and the Highlanders.

Arizona Defeats UCR, 5-1
(April 19, 2002) - Arizona starter Sean Rierson tossed his second complete game of the season in the Wildcats' 5-1 series opening win over UC Riverside at Frank Sancet Field on Friday night. The pitching performance improves Arizona's record to 26-15 overall while UC Riverside falls to 22-18.
The right hander scattered six hits over nine innings to earn his team-high seventh win of the season. He struck out eight and walked just one on 122 total pitches, while preserving a tenuous one-run lead for three innings. The Highlanders placed runners in scoring position four different times only to see the second-year Wildcat escape unscathed each time.
Jimmy Anderson and Tim Faulkner each had two hits for the Highlanders. UCR starter AJ Shappi retired the first 10 hitters he faced and led 1-0, but a defensive miscue by Highlander shortstop Scott Powis on Justyn St. Clair's ground ball eventually led to the tying run on an RBI double by Chris Cunningham. Shappi threw 7.2 innings, allowing five runs - four earned, and striking out seven.
The Wildcats took the lead an inning later on designated hitter Ken Riley's single to left field that scored John Hardy from third. The Wildcats tacked on three more insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth.

UCLA Defeats UCR 4-2
(April 16, 2002) - Ben Francisco's sacrifice fly capped a two-run fourth inning rally that proved the difference in the Bruins 4-2 victory over the Highlanders at the Riverside Sports Complex on Tuesday.
The Bruins (16-22) got on the board in the first as Francisco doubled with one out, stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly by senior Josh Arhart for a 1-0 lead.
The Highlanders (22-17) tied the score as in the third as Brian Wahlbrink singled, stole second and scored on a two-out RBI single by Big West Player of the Week Adam Seuss. The Bruins regained the lead in the two-run fourth inning rally. Billy Susdorf doubled and scored on a single by Ryan McCarthy to put UCLA back in the lead 2-1. Francisco added a sacrifice fly as UCR tallied two runs in the fourth. Francisco finished the evening 3-for-4 with a run and a RBI
The Bruins added a run in the fifth, as McCarthy added a RBI double for a 4-1 lead.
Timothy Faulkner singled and scored on another two-out Seuss RBI single in the seventh to pull to 4-2. The Highlanders left the bases loaded in the eighth and left 12 runners on base on the evening.
Matt Thiessen (5-1) pitched eight strong innings, allowing four runs on eight hits and striking out six in taking the loss.
Nick Lyon (1-0) earned the win in relief. Mike Castillo, the seventh Bruin pitcher of the game, recorded the final out to earn his first save of the year.

Shappi, Seuss Earn Big West Honors
(April 15, 2002) - Freshman AJ Shappi and senior Adam Seuss were named Big West Pitcher and Player of the Week respectively on Monday.
Shappi was named Big West Pitcher of the Week, sharing the honor with senior Nate Beucler of Long Beach State. Shappi threw a four-hit shutout against Sacramento State on Friday and struck out 14, tying the UCR record for most strikeouts in a game.
Seuss was named Big West Player of the Week for his efforts in the three-game set against Sacramento State, with three multi-hit games and going 8-for-14 (.571). Seuss also had two doubles, a homer, four RBI and seven runs scored.

Big Inning Lifts Highlanders Over Hornets
(April 14, 2002) - UC Riverside scored 13 runs in the seventh inning and Julio Fernandez tossed eight solid innings to lead the Highlanders to a 17-5 victory over Sacramento State Sunday afternoon at Hornet Field.
The win improved UCR to 22-16 overall and 3-6 in the Big West Conference. It also gave the Highlanders a series sweep at Hornet Field for the second-straight year. Sacramento State dropped to 14-19 overall and 0-9 in league games.
Trailing 3-0 entering the seventh, Randy Blood opened the inning for UCR with a double down the left field line. Scott Powis followed with an infield single before Andy Clay singled to left to plate Blood. The Hornets recorded the first out of the inning when pitcher Chris Kinsey forced Powis at third base on a bunt attempt. Tim Faulkner followed with a single to left to load the bases. On the next play, Brian Wahlbrink hit a chopper in front of the plate, Kinsey fielded the ball and threw to the plate but Clay was ruled safe to make the score 3-2. Adam Suess tied the game with a single to right before Jimmy Anderson doubled to center field to score two runs.
Steve Cuckovich relieved Kinsey but walked Tony Festa on four pitches and allowed a double to Blood which scored two more runs. Warren Rosebrock came on in place of Cuckovich and surrendered RBI singles to Powis and Clay. Rich Hofman appeared to hit the second out of the inning to right field but the ball was misplayed loading the bases. Faulkner followed with a grand slam down the left field line to make the score 13-3.
During the inning, Riverside sent 17 batters to the plate and collected 11 hits. The runs scored off of Kinsey ended a streak of 15.2 consecutive innings in which he had not allowed a run.
Sacramento State claimed an early lead in the third inning when Bret LeVier and Kinsey hit back-to-back home runs to left-center field. LeVier, who later hit a second home run in the ninth inning, now has five this season. Kinsey hit his team-leading 12th.
Six UCR players collected multiple hits led by Seuss and Powis with four. LeVier and Kinsey paced the Hornets with three hits apiece.

Smith Leads Highlanders Past Hornets 7-3
(April 13, 2002) -For the second-straight day, UC Riverside received a complete game from its starting pitcher to help defeat Sacramento State. On Saturday, the Highlanders turned to Chris Smith who allowed three runs and struck out eight in a 7-3 victory at Hornet Field.
The win improved UCR to 21-16 overall and 2-6 in the Big West Conference. The Hornets fell to 14-18 overall and 0-8 in league games.
The Highlanders posted the first run of the game on a sacrifice fly by Jason Collette which scored Adam Seuss in the top of the first. Sacramento State, however, took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the inning. In the inning, the Hornets received an infield single by Tim Reimer. After Reimer stole second, Bret LeVier singled to center field placing runners on the corners. Smith was then called for a balk which scored Reimer from third. The team added its second run on a groundout by Mario Celillo.
UC Riverside tied the game in the third inning on a RBI-triple by Tony Festa. The Highlanders went ahead for good later in the inning when Festa scored from third on a double steal. UCR posted another run in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Brian Wahlbrink.
The Hornets attempted to rally in the sixth inning. Reimer led off the inning with a walk and moved to second on a single by LeVier. Pinch hitter Chris Kinsey loaded the bases with a single to left before Celillo struck out for the first out of the inning. Pinch hitter Danny Gill followed with a line drive to left which scored Reimer but LeVier was thrown out at the plate trying to score from second on the play. Smith then struck out Matt Wilson to end the frame.
Riverside ended any hopes of a Sacramento State comeback with three runs in the seventh. The Highlanders received a RBI single by Jimmy Anderson and a two-run single by Randy Blood.
The Highlanders were led at the plate by Seuss, Anderson and Festa. The trio, which hits 2-4 in the lineup, each had a pair of hits and combined to go 6-for-11 and score five runs.

Shappi Fans 14 as Highlanders Shutout Hornets, 10-0
(April 12, 2002) - Freshman A.J. Shappi struck out 14 batters and allowed just four hits to help lead UC Riverside to a 10-0 victory over Sacramento State Friday afternoon at Hornet Field.
Shappi retired the first six batters he faced before allowing an infield single to Bret LeVier to start the third inning. He allowed a second infield single in the inning to Casey Fuller. Shappi hit Mario Celillo in the fourth inning and allowed a third infield single to Tito Barba in the fifth. Sacramento State collected its first hit outside the infield in the seventh inning when LeVier singled to right center. For the game, Shappi allowed just four balls outside of the infield (one hit, three flyouts). Offensively, the Highlanders (20-16, 1-6) were led by Tony Festa's three hits. Adam Seuss, Jimmy Anderson, Randy Blood, Adam Spiker and Tim Faulkner also added two hits apiece.
UCR jumped on the board in the first inning on a fielding error by LeVier which plated Seuss. The team added two more runs in the third behind a RBI triple by Anderson and a single from Blood. The Highlanders made the score 5-0 in the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly by Seuss and a single to center from Anderson. UC Riverside put the game out of reach in the eighth inning with four runs. The team received doubles from Faulkner and Wahlbrink and a two-run home run by Seuss.

Aztecs Hand UCR Fourth Straight Loss, 8-0
(April 8, 2002) -Robert Harrand and Chris Hartshorn combined on a five-hit shutout, as the San Diego State University Aztecs defeated the Highlanders 8-0, at the Riverside Sports Complex on Tuesday.
The Aztecs (26-12) got on the board in the second, as Rielly Embrey and Chad Corona led off with back-to-back singles. A Ryan Wilson sacrifice moved the runners into scoring position and Highlander starter Brian Hoff (0-2) uncorked a wild pitch, scoring Embrey giving SDSU a 1-0 lead.
Harrand (4-0) made the lead stand up, pitching six shutout innings, holding the Highlanders to just two hits. Hartshorn threw the final three innings, earning his first career save.
The Aztecs added to the lead in the fourth. Ryan Wilson singled, and Brian Manfred was hit by a pitch. Anthony Gwynn lined a RBI single to left field, scoring Wilson. Manfred would later score on an error by third baseman Rich Hofman and SDSU held a 3-0 lead.
The Highlanders threatened in the fourth putting runners on first and third with nobody out. Adam Seuss led off with a walk and Jimmy Anderson followed with a single. Seuss advanced to third on an error, bringing up cleanup hitter Tony Festa. Festa hit a line drive right at third baseman Corona, who made the catch, tagged third and threw to first catching Anderson scrambling back to the bag for a triple play.
The Aztecs added five runs in the ninth on Gwynn's two-run single and a two-run double by Carlo Cota. Jon Stevens followed with a RBI single, scoring Cota.

Allec's Slam Helps CSUN Beat UC Riverside 17-5
(April 7, 2002) - Jason Allec's grand slam highlighted a seven-run eighth inning that blew open a tie game to give CSUN a 17-5 victory and a three game sweep over the Highlanders, at the UC Riverside Sports Complex on Sunday.
Adam Nikolic singled to lead off the eighth for the Matadors (23-11, 5-1). Larkin walked, and following a strikeout, pinch hitter Jason Gorman walked to load the bases. Allec hammered the first pitch he saw from reliever Cordel Perkins (3-1) over the fence in left for an 8-4 lead. Tim Dorn then reached on an error and scored on Rudy Simpson's RBI single. Ryan Haag and Shaun Larkin followed with RBI doubles to complete the seven-run inning.
Haag added a two run double to highlight a six-run ninth. Haag finished the day 4-for-5 with two runs and three RBI. The Highlanders (19-15, 0-6) got on the board in the first, manufacturing a run as Jimmy Anderson reached on a bunt single, stole second and scored on a two-out RBI single by Tim Faulkner.
The Matadors took the lead in the second on Nikolic's two-out two-run single. UCR regained the lead in the bottom half with Scott Powis leading off with a single and stealing second. Andy Clay walked and Brian Wahlbrink singled, scoring Powis, to tie the game. Adam Seuss forced Wahlbrink and Anderson skied a fly down the right field line which Matador second baseman Shaun Larkin bobbled in fair ground. Clay scored and UCR took a 3-2 lead.
Allec singled and scored on a two-out RBI single by Simpson to tie the game at three in the third. UCR regained the lead in the fifth when Faulkner singled and scored on Brian Emmon's ground out for a 4-3 lead.
Allec doubled and scored to tie the game in the seventh. Allec finished 3-for-4 with three runs scored and four RBI.
Matthew Larson (3-2) got the win, pitching four shut out innings, allowing only one hit.

UCR Drops Second Straight to CSUN 9-2
(April 6, 2002) - Ryan Haag and Shaun Larkin had four RBI each in leading the CSUN Matadors past the UC Riverside Highlanders 9-2, at the Riverside Sports Complex, on Saturday.
CSUN (22-11, 4-1) got on the board in the first as Haag singled and scored on Tim Arroyo's RBI groundout. The Highlanders (19-14, 0-5) tied the game in their half of the first, as Adam Seuss walked and scored on an error.
The Matadors scored three unearned runs in the second and three more in the third inning to open up a 7-1 lead on Highlander starter Chris Smith (5-5). The Highlanders' ace struggled, lasting only 4.2 innings giving up seven runs - four earned - on twelve hits.
Tim Dorn reached on an error to lead off the second, advanced to second on a passed ball and scored on Haag's two-out RBI single. Adam Nikolic followed with a single and Larkin hit a two-run double as the Matadors took a 4-1 lead.
The Matadors added three more in the third on five consecutive two-out hits, highlighted by Haag's two-run single. Haag would later score on a Larkin RBI single.
In the sixth, the Highlanders chipped away at the lead as Tony Festa singled and scored on a wild pitch. But Larkin would add a RBI single in the seventh and Haag a sacrifice fly in the eighth to complete the scoring.
Haag finished the evening 3-for-4 with three runs and four RBI.
Matador starter Kameron Loe (3-1) went eight innings allowing two runs - one earned - on seven hits in earning the victory.

Murphy, Verbryke Down Highlanders, 4-2
(April 5, 2002) - Eric Verbryke's three-run home run gave Matador starter Bill Murphy all the support he needed leading the CSU Northridge Matadors to a 4-2 victory over the UC Riverside Highlanders, at the Riverside Sports Complex on Friday.
Murphy (7-1) pitched a complete game, allowing two runs and seven hits and striking out 10 Highlanders.
The Matadors (21-11, 3-1) gave him all the support he would need on Verbryke's three-run home run. Adam Nikolic and Shaun Larkin led off the inning with back-to-back singles setting the table for Verbryke's 10th home run of the season and a 3-2 Matador lead.
The Highlanders (19-13, 0-4) got on the board first scoring two runs in the third. Brian Emmons led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice. Brian Wahlbrink grounded a double down the left field line, scoring Emmons to put the Highlanders on the board. Adam Seuss followed with a RBI double off the wall in center field and the Highlanders took a 2-0 lead.
The Highlanders had their chances, stranding seven runners on the evening, including the bases loaded in the eighth with two outs, Murphy struck out designated hitter Jason Collete to end the threat.
CSUN added an insurance run in the ninth as Ryan Haag doubled with one out and scored on Nikolic's RBI single.
AJ Shappi (3-2) took the loss for the Highlanders, surrendering three runs on seven hits in 6.1 innings.

Quakes Defeat Highlanders 2-1 in Exhibition
(April 3, 2002) - The UC Riverside Highlanders fell to the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, 2-1 in a seven-inning exhibition at the Epicenter, on Wednesday.
The Highlanders got on the board in the second as Randy Blood singled, advanced to second on a Timothy Faulkner single and scored on a RBI single by Brian Wahlbrink.
Three UCR pitchers combined to hold the 1-0 lead until the Quakes erupted for two runs in the sixth off of loser Drew Murphy. Mike Campo singled and scored on Ryan Budde's double to tie the game. Jason Coulie followed with a RBI double to left and the Quakes took a 2- 1 lead.
Matthew Henley earned the victory for Rancho Cucamonga, and Will Morris recorded the final out to earn the save.

Highlanders Rally to Beat Hawaii-Pacific, 6-3
(March 31, 2002) - UC Riverside won their final game in the Ohana Hotels Easter Baseball Tournament at Les Murakami Stadium, rallying back from a 3-1 deficit to take a 6-3 win over the Hawaii-Pacific Sea Warriors Sunday.
Randy Blood's sixth inning two-run triple tied the game at 3-3. The Highlanders took the lead for good in the seventh when Adam Seuss doubled home Rich Hofman, then scampered home himself on a wild pitch one out later. The Highlanders added an insurance run in the eighth on a Jason Collette double and a Sea Warrior error.
UCR starter Chris Smith (5-4) threw his fourth complete game of the season, allowing six hits and striking out 10.

Birmingham-Southern Shuts Down UCR, 6-3
(March 31, 2002) - Birmingham-Southern freshman Josh Britnell allowed just one earned run and struck out six in 6.2 innings in leading the Panthers to a 6-3 win over UC Riverside Saturday in the Ohana Hotels Easter Baseball Tournament at Les Murakami Stadium.
Britnell (1-0) earned his first career victory, giving up just four hits and one walk. Derek Griffith picked up his first save, going the final 2.1 innings for the Panthers, 16-13. The Highlanders fell to 18-12.
The Highlanders grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first on Tony Festa's two-out single that scored Adam Seuss, who had been hit by a pitch and sacrificed to second. UCR made it 2-0 in the second with an unearned run. Randy Blood reached second on a fielding error to lead off the inning, was sacrificed to third and scored on a wild pitch.
The Panthers scored single runs in the fourth and fifth to tie the contest at two. BSC took a 3-2 lead in the seventh after Jon Prince led off with a double, was sacrificed to third, and scored on a two-out single. Mac Godwin led off the eighth with a double off the center field wall, and a pair of walks loaded the bases with one out. Prince was then hit by a pitch, scoring one run. The next batter, Pat Mizerany, hit a come-backer to the mound, which pitcher Cordell Perkins threw to home to force Robertson. But catcher Jimmy Anderson's throw to first went into right field, allowing a run to score. Perkins then balked in Prince to give the Panthers a 6-2 lead.
UCR added a run in the bottom of the eight on a bases loaded infield single by Scott Powis, cutting the Panthers' lead to 6-3. Highlander starter Brian Hoff (0-1) gave up three runs on five hits with four strikeouts and one walk in six innings.

Highlanders Defeat Lewis-Clark State
(March 30, 2002) - Tony Festa's three-run fifth inning double led UCR to a 7-4 win over Lewis-Clark State (20-8) at Honolulu, HI.
The Highlanders (18-11) broke a 2-2 tie with a four-run fifth inning. Andy Clay walked to lead off the inning. Adam Seuss and Jimmy Anderson had back-to-back singles to load the bases for Festa's three-run double to left center. Jason Collette reached on a fielder's choice, with Festa being thrown out trying to advance to third. Collette stole second on the next pitch and scored on an error and a balk to build a 6-2 lead. Festa finished 4-for-5 with a run and three RBI
Highlander starter Matt Thiessen (5-0) pitched a complete game, scattering four runs on ten hits and striking out four.

Shappi Leads UCR Past Hawaii-Hilo 5-1
(March 29, 2002) - Freshman AJ Shappi pitched nine strong innings in leading UC Riverside past the University of Hawaii Hilo Vandals 5-1 at Honolulu Hawaii, on Thursday.
UCR (17-11) scored two first inning runs and that was all Shappi (3-1) would need as he allowed only one run on eight hits and striking out one in going the distance. Brian Wahlbrink singled and stole second to lead off the game. After a ground out by Adam Seuss and a Jimmy Anderson pop up, Tony Festa lined a two-out triple to right field, scoring Wahlbrink. Jason Collette followed with a RBI single to left and UCR opened up a 2-0 lead on Vandal starter Joel Zimmerman (1-2).
Hawaii Hilo (9-18-1) cut the lead to 2-1 on Sean Tamuras' RBI single in the fourth. But the Highlanders added one in the seventh on an Anderson RBI single and two in the eighth on a Randy Blood RBI single and an Andy Clay sacrifice fly, to account for the scoring.
Collette and Anderson paced the Highlanders with two hits apiece.


Highlanders Use Nine-Run Sixth to Beat Rainbows
(3/26/02) - The UC Riverside Highlanders (16-11) moved to 1-1 in the Ohana Rainbow Easter Tournament with a 12-7 win over the host UH Rainbows Wednesday night.
The Highlanders trailed 7-3 entering the bottom of the sixth inning, but exploded for nine runs in the frame to take a 12-7 lead. UCR sent 13 batters to the plate against Hawaii starter Scott Pribble and two relievers.
After a double and a walk, Pribble was replaced by William Quaglieri, who loaded the bases on a walk then allowed a RBI groundout to cut the score to 7-4. Reliever Bryan Lee then entered and allowed three straight hits, an RBI fielder's choice and an error that allowed the ninth run to come across.
Brian Wahlbrink led the Highlanders by going 4-for-5 with two RBI and Tony Festa went 3-for-5 for UCR. All but one Highlander starter had a hit in the game, and every player either scored or drove in a run. Jimmy Anderson and Jason Collette each had two RBI for the Highlanders.
Cordell Perkins (3-0) pitched 3.2 hitless and scoreless innings in relief of starter Julio Fernandez, who allowed seven runs and eight hits in 5.1 innings of work.

Highlanders Fall to SJSU, 12-5
(3/25/02) - The San Jose State Spartans (20-9) downed the UC Riverside Highlanders 12-4 on the first day of the 27th Annual Ohana Hotels Rainbow Easter Baseball Tournament at Les Murakami Stadium in Hawaii.
Highlander starter Chris Smith allowed 12 hits and six runs in 6.1 innings of work and the Highlanders used five relievers to record the final eight outs of the game. SJSU starter Frank Esposito allowed eight hits and a run in 5.1 innings of work.
The Highlanders led 3-2 after three innings, but the Spartans scored 10 unanswered runs, including five runs in the eighth off of a quartet of UCR relievers.
Sophomore Jason Collette led the team with two hits.

Long Beach Finishes off Sweep of UCR 10-3
(3/15/02) - The LBSU 49ers broke open a close game with seven late inning runs, defeating the Highlanders 10-3, at the Riverside Sports Complex on Saturday.
The Beach (13-6, 3-0) scored two runs in the first, both without the benefit of a hit. Highlander (15-10, 0-3) starter AJ Shappi (2-1) hit Dirtbag lead off hitter Nick Covarrubias with the first pitch of the game. Covarrubias moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Jeremy Reed followed with a walk, and a passed ball advanced both runners into scoring position. Covarubias scored on a RBI ground out by Chris Wright. Reed scored on a wild pitch and the Beach opened up a 2-0 lead.
The Highlanders got on the board in the fourth as Scott Powis singled with two outs and stole second. LBSU starter Jered Weaver (2-2) uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Powis to advance to third, and Andy Clay singled up the middle to put the Highlanders on the board.
LBSU regained the two run advantage in the fifth as Covarubias singled with one out and scored when UCR could not turn the double play on Reed's ground ball up the middle, extending the Beach lead to 3-1. Covarubias finished the day 3-for-3 with three runs and a RBI.
The Beach put two more on the board in the sixth on a two-run home run by Paul McAnulty for a 5-1 lead. The home run was McAnulty's first of the season and followed a controversial hit batter. Todd Jennings took a pitch in on the hands, which appeared to hit his bat, but was awarded first base, much to the chagrin of Highlander Head Coach Jack Smitheran. After a brief and heated discussion, McAnulty hit the next pitch over the wall in right field.
LBSU put four more on the board in the eighth highlighted by a RBI double by Nick Orlandos. Brian Emmons hit a solo home run in the eighth and Adam Spiker hit a pinch hit home run in the ninth.
Shappi took the loss for the Highlanders allowing six runs - five earned - on seven hits in six innings. Weaver earned the victory for the 49ers, pitching five innings and striking out seven.


Late Inning Rallies Push Long Beach Past UCR 9-2
(3/14/02)- - Long Beach scored late and often to erase an early one run UCR lead and defeat the Highlanders 9-2, at the Riverside Sports Complex on Friday.
UCR (15-9, 0-2) got on the board in the first, as Jimmy Anderson singled and scored on a two-out RBI double by Highlander clean up hitter Tony Festa. It was only the fifth extra base hit for Festa who is hitting .410 on the season.
Long Beach (12-6, 2-0) tied the score in the fourth as Todd Jennings reached second on a Scott Powis error and scored on Paul McAnulty's RBI single. LBSU would take the lead two innings later on a two-out RBI double by Nick Orlandos, scoring Mike Hofius and the 49ers took a 2-1 lead.
Long Beach tallied three in the seventh, as Kevin Randel led off with a single and scored on a double by Jeremy Reed. Matt Thiessen then relieved UCR starter Julio Fernandez, and surrendered a RBI single to Jennings. Jennings would later score on a fielder's choice for a 5-1 lead. Jennings finished the evening 2-for-5 with two runs and a RBI.
In the home half of the seventh, UCR would chip away at the lead when Brian Emmons led off with a double and scored on a Powis RBI ground out. In the ninth, the Beach's Brad Davis added a RBI single and Hofius followed with a two-run triple to blow the game open. Hofius would later score on a sacrifice fly for the final 9-2 score.
Fernandez (2-3) pitched 6.1 innings allowing four runs on eight hits and walking five in taking the loss. Beach starter Dani Eisentrager (4-1) earned the victory allowing two runs on six hits and striking out six in seven innings.

Sixth Inning Error Costs UCR in Big West Debut
(3/14/02)- - A wild throw by pitcher Chris Smith led to two unearned runs which were the difference in the Highlanders' 4-2 loss to #25 LBSU in their Big West debut, at the Riverside Sports Complex on Thursday.
Long Beach took their first lead of the game in the sixth, scoring two unearned runs. Paul McAnulty led off with a single, and Brad Davis followed with a bunt that Smith fielded and threw wildly to second. After a sacrifice bunt, McAnulty scored on a passed ball. Kevin Randel followed with a two-out RBI single as Long Beach (11-6) took a 4-2 lead.
The Highlanders (15-8) got on the board in the first without the benefit of a hit. Catcher Jimmy Anderson reached on a fielder's choice and stole second. LBSU catcher Brad Davis' throw hit Anderson in the leg, allowing Anderson to reach third. Tony Festa followed with a walk, and 49er starting pitcher Abe Alvarez (5-0) picked off Festa, and Anderson broke for the plate. Following an exciting pickle, Anderson smashed through 49er first baseman Mike Hofius, covering the plate on the play, and Anderson scored and UCR took a 1-0 lead.
Alvarez got the win pitching seven innings allowing two runs - one earned - on five hits and striking out five. Josh Alliston recorded the final out for his second save.
The Beach tied it in the second, as Todd Jennings and Paul McAnulty had back-to-back one out doubles to knot the score at one.
In the Highlander half of the second, the Highlanders scored again on a pick off, as Randy Blood, who reached on a walk, scored from third when Tim Faulkner was picked off of first and UCR regained the lead at 2-1.
However, the lead was short lived as the Beach tied it in the fifth when Nich Orlandos singled and scored on a two-out base hit by Jeremy Reed.
Smith (4-3) was the tough luck loser, pitching into the ninth inning, scattering ten hits and allowing four runs - two earned - in taking the loss.

Highlanders Take Rubber Game Over UW, 6-4
(3/11/02)- The Washington baseball team gave up three runs in the first inning and were never able to come back as UC Riverside handed the Huskies a 6-4 loss to take the series, two games to one.
Riverside (15-7) used two infield hits and an error in the first to post their three runs. The Huskies (8-7) had a chance to get out of it with no runs across, but shortstop Tila Reynolds' throw to first on a two-out ground ball from Scott Powis was in the dirt, allowing the first run to score. Singles from Randy Blood and Rich Hofman plated two more runs.
The Huskies scored two in the second on RBI singles from Jay Garthwaite and John Otness, but gave up three more in the fourth, thanks in large part to a two-run double from UCR leadoff hitter Brian Wahlbrink.
In the fifth, UW closed the gap when Reynolds doubled and scored on a fielder's choice groundout by Bryan Johnson. Johnson scored all the way from first on Garthwaite's double.
UCR reliever Matt Thiessen (4-0), who came on with two out in the fifth, picked up the win, holding the Huskies scoreless the rest of the way. He fanned six over five and one third.
Husky starter Sean White (1-2) gave up six runs (three earned) in the loss. Garthwaite and Otness both finished with two hits for the Huskies.

Huskies And Riverside Split Frigid Twinbill
(3/8/02)- Despite arriving this morning to a field covered with two to three inches of snow, the UC Riverside baseball team managed to play a doubleheader with host University of Washington Friday at Husky Ballpark, losing game one, 6-1, before winning game two, 7-4.
Husky senior Shawn Kohn went the distance in game one, earning the victory to improve to 4-0 on the year. Kohn allowed six hits, walked one and struck out six in his second complete game of the season. The Huskies (8-6) scored all the runs they'd need in game one in the second inning when freshman Kyle Larsen doubled home Jay Garthwaite and a single from catcher Aaron Hathaway drove in Larsen to put the Huskies in front 2-0. UCR ace Chris Smith (4-2) suffered the game one loss, allowing five earned runs over six and one-third innings.
In game two, Riverside's Julio Fernandez (2-2) threw a complete game to pick up the win. He allowed four runs (two earned) on only five hits. Tim Faulkner and Scott Powis each hit solo homers in game two for the Highlanders (14-7). Washington, down 7-2 entering the eighth, got a two-run blast from Garthwaite, his third of the season. Freshman David Dowling (Kirkland/Juanita) threw five innings, allowing four runs (two earned) in his first career start and took the loss to go to 0-1.


Highlanders Come Back to Take the Rubber Game with Oklahoma 9-7
(3/3/02)- Tony Festa's eighth inning RBI single allowed UCR to defeat the Sooners 9-7 and take the rubber game of the series on Sunday at the Riverside Sports Complex.
Trailing 7-6 in the eighth Tim Faulkner led off with a walk. Following a fly out, Adam Seuss followed with a single and Jimmy Anderson singled in Faulkner to tie the game. Mark Roberts (1-1) surrendered Festa's game winning hit, scoring Seuss. Jason Collete followed with a sacrifice fly to put the Highlanders up 9-7.
The Sooners scored first with Charlie Frasier leading off the second with a single and Jason Franz following with a walk. Highlander starter AJ Shappi fell behind Chris Jakubauskas and the senior right fielder smashed a 2-1 fast ball over the fence in left. Shappi fell behind the next hitter as well and Luke Alexander grooved a 2-0 fast ball to left for a double and later scored on a Reggie Willits ground out. Willits added a sacrifice fly in the fourth for a 5-0 Sooner lead. Shappi pitched five innings allowing five runs on eight hits in the no decision.
Junior catcher Jimmy Anderson hit his sixth home run of the season, a solo shot in the fourth, to put the Highlanders on the board. In the fifth, Anderson was at it again with a two-out RBI single to left field. Anderson finished the evening 4-for-5 with a home run and three RBI.
Brian Wahlbrink was hit by a pitch with two outs in the fifth and Seuss followed with a single to right. Anderson, then singled in his second run of the game. Festa followed with a walk and Collete grounded a two-run single up the middle to pull the Highlanders to 5-4.
The Highlanders tied it in the sixth scoring another run with two outs. Faulkner drew a two-out walk and Wahlbrink followed with a RBI double to tie the score at five.
Reliever Matt Thiessen (3-0) surrendered a two-out walk to Charlie Frasier and Jason Franz followed with his towering shot to left field to put the Sooners up 7-5. The Highlanders came back in their half of the inning as Tony Festa scored on a Jason Collete ground out to pull to 7-6. Cordell Perkins recorded the final two outs for his second save of the series.


Highlanders Split Double Header With Oklahoma
(3/2/02)- The Highlanders took the second game of the double header, defeating the Sooners 8-6 at the Riverside Sports Complex on Saturday. In the opener, three UCR errors created two unearned runs for Oklahoma as the visitors prevailed 5-1.
The Sooners (7-3) got on the board in the first, scoring a run on one hit and two errors on Highlander shortstop Rich Hofman, who started in place of the ill Scott Powis. Powis sat out the game with bronchitis.
Junior Reggie Willits led off with a ground ball to shortstop, which Hofman misplayed, allowing Willits to reach. Eddie Cornejo singled and Matt Bose followed with another grounder to Hofman, who misplayed it, allowing Willits to score. Wilits added a RBI single in the second as the Sooners led 2-0.
The Highlanders (12-6) came back in the third as Hofman led off with a double and scored on a single by Brian Wahlbrink pulling UCR to 2-1.
Highlander starter Chris Smith (4-1) would settle down in the third retiring 18 Sooners in a row until Eddie Cornejo hit a two-out ground ball to Hofman, whom commited his third error of the game allowing Cornejo to reach. Bose then blooped a double to right field and the Sooners took a 3-1 lead.
The Highlanders had a chance to come back in the eighth, loading the bases with one out and Jason Collete at the plate. Collete hit a fly to shallow left and Jason Fransz gunned down Adam Seuss at the plate to end the threat. The Sooners added two insurance runs in the ninth on a Spencer Wyman RBI single, and pinch runner Matt Arkison scored on a wild pitch
Smith was the tough luck loser pitching 8.1 innings, allowing five runs (three earned) on seven hits. Rocky Cherry (2-2) picked up the win for the Sooners. Mark Roberts recorded the final five outs for his first save of the season.
In the second game, the Sooners got on the board again in the first, loading the bases on two hits and a HBP with no outs. Charlie Frasier hit a ground ball to first baseman Brian Emmons, whose throw to the plate was wide allowing Willits to score and a 1-0 lead. UCR tied the score in the bottom half as Jason Collete scored on a balk by Sooner starter Buddy Blair.
UCR starter Julio Fernandez would not survive the third, surrendering three runs, as Oklahoma took a 4-1 lead. Fransz and Richard Richardson did most of the damage with a pair of RBI doubles.
The Highlanders came back in the third as Jaymie Torres, Wahlbrink, Seuss and Anderson had four consecutive singles. Anderson's hit scored Torres and loaded the bases for Festa. Festa hit a sacrifice fly to pull to 4-3.
In the fourth, the Highlanders put two more on the board taking a 5-4 lead on the Sooners. Seuss hit a sacrifice fly scoring Brian Emmons, and Festa had a two-out RBI single. The lead was very short-lived as Frasier hit a solo home run to left field tying the game at five.
UCR regained the lead in the fifth as Randy Blood scored on a bases loaded wild pitch and the Highlanders took a 6-5 lead. The Highlanders added some insurance in the seventh on a Seuss RBI double. In the eighth, OU added a run on a Cornejo sacrifice fly to pull to 7-6. UCR added a run in the eighth as Festa scored on a wild pitch for the final score. Drew Murphy (1-2) earned the win in relief. Cordell Perkins recorded the final six out for his first save of the year. Reliever Austin Mix (1-1) took the loss for the Sooners

Highlanders Defeat Wolverines, 13-7
(2/27/2002) - The UC Riverside Highlanders defeated the Michigan Wolverines, 13-7 on Wednesday afternoon at the Riverside Sports Complex in Riverside, CA.
Matt Thiessen pitched seven innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on four hits, walking three and striking out four.
The Highlanders opened the scoring with five runs in the first inning as Jimmy Anderson singled home Brian Wahlbrink and Adam Seuss. Randy Blood singled home Anderson, and Tim Faulkner singled in Jason Collette and Blood, taking a 5-0 lead.
In the top of the second, the Wolverines put one on the board, as Chris Burhans singled and advanced to second on a fielder's choice. Mike Sokol drove him in with a single to left.
Riverside put four more on the board in the third, taking a 9-1 lead. Faulkner drove in two more runs, scoring Scott Powis and Blood. Chris Burhans lost the ball in the sun out in right field and Seuss got a double, driving in Faulkner and Walhbrink.
Michigan added runs in the sixth and eighth as Brock Koman reached on an error by third baseman Rich Hofman and eventually scored on a sacrafice fly by Gino Lollio. The other run came on a throwing error by Hofman. Nate Wright walked and Nick Rudden doubled to put runners at second and third, then Wright scored on the error.
UCR added four runs in the eighth, as Seuss doubled in two and Anderson and Brian Emmons drove in one, taking a 13-3 lead. However Michigan made things interesting, scoring four in the top of the ninth on three hits, two walks and a hit batsmen.
Wolverine pitcher Bobby Garza threw three innings, giving up nine runs on seven hits. He also walked four batters and hit three Highlanders. Kirk Taylor relieved Garza in the fourth, giving up no runs on one hit in four innings. Rich Hill gave up four more runs (three earned) in the eighth with Joe Young getting the final out.

Highlanders, Beavers Victorious on Final Day of 23rd Riverside Baseball Tournament
(2/24/2002) - The host UC Riverside Highlanders were not very hospitable this weekend, culminating their sweep of the Riverside Baseball Invitational by crushing the Michigan Wolverines 17-8, at the Riverside Sports Complex on Sunday. In the first game the Oregon State Beavers defeated the University of San Francisco Dons 9-6.
The Wolverines (0-3) got on the board in the first, as Brandon Jominy scored on Nick Sokol's double play grounder. UCR (10-5) took the lead in their half of the first, scoring two runs with two outs in the opening frame on a Jason Collette two-run single to left.
The Highlanders padded the lead in the second, as Brian Wahlbrink singled in Scott Powis with one out. Adam Seuss followed with a RBI single up the middle to score Tim Faulkner and give UCR a 4-1 lead.
The Wolverines came back in the top of the third, scoring two runs to pull to 4-3 on a RBI fielders' choices - on which the Highlanders failed to turn a double play - by Sokol and Gino Lollio
The Highlanders put the game out of reach in the fifth as Jimmy Anderson crushed a three-run shot to left field as the big blow in a six-run inning to put them 10-4. The Highlanders mounted another six-run rally in the seventh sparked by Powis' two-run double. Powis finished the evening 3-for-5 with three runs and two RBI.
That was more than enough for UCR starter A.J.Shappi. Shappi (2-0) earned the win, pitching into the sixth, scattering six hits and allowing five runs, three earned.
In the first game of the afternoon, the Oregon State Beavers (5-9) defeated the University of San Francisco Dons 9-6 in a four-hour marathon. Tom Creighton led the Beavers' 18 hit attack, going 4-for-5 with two runs and two RBI. Oregon State scored a run in every inning but the fifth.
Mike Erkstrom (1-0) got the win in relief pitching 2.1 innings, allowing one run on four hits. Jared Sanders finished the game for his second save of the year. Bryan Williams took the loss for the Dons (3-9).

Highlanders, Dons Victorious on Second Day of 23rd Riverside Baseball Invitational Tournament
(2/23/2002) - The host UC Riverside Highlanders and the University of San Francisco Dons were victorious on the second day of the Riverside Baseball Invitational tournament at the Riverside Sports Complex Saturday.
In the first game of the day, San Francisco defeated Michigan, 9-7 and UCR defeated Oregon State, 21-4 behind Julio Fernandez's first win of the season, giving up four runs on eight hits in eight inning, but only allowing two hits after the first inning. Matt Thiessen pitched the final inning, retiring all three batters.
The Oregon State Beavers jumped all over the Highlanders with four runs in the first as Seth Pietsch opened the game with a homer. Will Hudson had a single and Chris Biles and Brian Barden had back-to-back doubles. Tom Creighton singled home Barden to take a 4-0 lead. UCR answered with two runs in the bottom of the second on a two-run double by Brian Emmons, plating Jason Collette and Scott Powis.
In the bottom of the third, Riverside added a run on a sacrafice fly, scoring Brian Walhbrink who opened the inning with a single and tied the game in the bottom of the fifth, with Anderson scoring Walhbrink on a ground out.
Emmons broke the 4-4 tie with a double down the right field line, scoring Powis who singled to left field. Adam Seuss plated Emmons on a single and Tim Faulkner scored on a wild pitch, taking a 7-4 lead.
Riverside erupted for 14 runs in the bottom of the eighth on 12 hits and two errors. The 14 runs in one inning are a school record, with the previous best, scoring 12 runs against Chico State in 1996. Ten Highlanders had at least one hit and eight had two or more.
In the third game of the tournament, San Francisco and Michigan engaged in a back and forth affair but the Dons scored three runs in the seventh and one in the eighth to win, 9-7. Peter Dunkle (1-1) got the win in relief of starter Jeremy Kinney, going 4.2 innings and giving up two runs on four hits. Phil Tognetti (0-1) took the loss in relief, giving up three runs on three hits and two walks in 0.2 innings.
The Dons scored two in the top of the first but the Wolverines answered with two of their own in the bottom half of the inning. USF scored one in the second and one in the third but the Wolverines scored two in the bottom of the third and two in the fourth, taking a 6-4 lead.
San Francisco got one back in the sixth and three in the seventh, taking an 8-6 lead. Michigan got one in the bottom of the seventh but the Dons scored an insurance run in the top of the eighth and held on for the come-from-behind win.

Highlanders, Beavers Victorious on First Day of 23rd Riverside Baseball Invitational Tournament
(2/22/2002) - The host UC Riverside Highlanders and Oregon State Beavers were victorious in the opening round games of the Riverside Baseball Invitational tournament at the Riverside Sports Complex Friday.
The Beavers took the opening game of the tournament with a 10-4 win over Michigan and the Highlanders shutdown the University of San Francisco, 7-2, behind a complete game by junior Chris Smith.
Smith (4-0) scattered eight hits and one run while striking out eight. The win was his second complete game of the year. He has not thrown less than seven innings in any of his four starts this season.
The Highlanders took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning on a two-run homer by center fielder Brian Wahlbrink off of Don starter Kevin Rose (0-2).
The Highlanders added two more runs in the fourth inning as Randy Blood tripled to left and scored on a single by Scott Powis. Moments later Powis, who had gone to third on a wild pitch and an error, scored when Don catcher Steve Booth's throw to third, on a Highlander double steal attempt, got away from third baseman Cy Donald.
UCR scored a single run in the fifth on a Brian Emmons RBI single that scored Jimmy Anderson, one in the seventh on a long homer to left by Anderson, and one in the eighth on a RBI single by Wahlbrink that scored Tim Faulkner, who had reached by being hit by a pitch for the third time on the day.
USF scored once in the seventh inning as Armand Gaerlan doubled and came home moments later on a double by Jimmy Milkovich, then added a run in the ninth inning on a RBI single by Luke Gradishar that scored Gaerlan.
In the first game of the tournament, the Oregon State Beavers cruised to a 10-4 win over Michigan.
The Beavers scored three unearned runs off of starter and loser Rich Hill (0-1), then padded their lead with a five-run outburst off of Michigan reliever Tim Leveque to seal the win.
Oregon State starter Ben Rowe (3-1) got the win, allowing three hits, three walks and two runs in 5.1 innings of work. The Wolverines (0-1) plated a pair of ninth inning runs off of reliever Kenny Anderson, but it was too little, too late.
Third baseman Brian Barden led the Beavers with two hits and two RBI and catcher Paul Richie had two hits and three runs scored.


# 8 OSU Defeat UCR 8-6
(2/17/2002) - Paul Powell grounded a two-out RBI single as the Cowboys struck for two runs with two out in the bottom of the eighth to defeat the UCR Highlanders, 8-6, at the Riverside Sports Complex on Monday.
In the eighth, the Cowboys (5-0) struck for two as Watson led off with a walk, moved to second on a ground out and advanced to third on a balk by David Gibson (0-1). Josh Fields grounded a two-out RBI single up the middle scoring Watson and giving the Cowboys the lead. Powell followed with a RBI triple to straight away center and the Cowboys took an 8-6 lead.
The Highlanders (7-5) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead taking advantage of two Cowboy miscues in the first. Junior Brian Wahlbrink drew a lead off walk and stole second. Adam Seuss hit a fly to right that Daylon Monette dropped, allowing Wahlbrink to score and Seuss to reach second. Jimmy Anderson followed with an infield single. Tony Festa attempted a sacrifice bunt, but third baseman Powell threw low to first allowing Festa to reach, loading the bases. Brian Emmons hit a ground ball to third which Powell fielded and tossed to second, forcing Festa for the first out in the inning. Seuss scored on the play to extend the Highlander lead to 2-0. Cowboy starter Toby Rhodes struck out Andy Clay and Scott Powis to end the threat.
The Cowboys chipped away at the lead in the second taking advantage of Highlander starter Matt Thiessen's wildness - six walks in one and a third innings pitched - to cut the lead to 2-1. Jake Bollig led off with a walk and moved to second on a walk to Monette. Matt Oakes laid down a sac bunt and Rob Watson grounded out, allowing Bollig to score and the Cowboys got on the board.
In the third the Cowboys finally made the Highlanders pay for their wildness scoring five runs in the third off of reliever Ennoc Jorrin. Josh Fields led off with a walk and Powell was hit by a pitch. Following a fly out, Bollig hit a RBI single to left to tie the score. Monette followed with a single putting runners at first and third. Matt Oakes hammered a three-run shot to left field and the Cowboys took a 5-2 lead.
The Highlanders came back in the home half of the third, scoring a run to pull to 5-3. Anderson singled with one out in the third advancing to second on Festa's ground out. Emmons followed with a two-out RBI single to cut the lead to 6-3.
In the fourth, Powis was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Randy Blood followed with an infield single. Tim Faulkner laid down a sacrifice bunt and Wahlbrink singled, scoring Powis to cut the OSU lead to two. Seuss followed with a RBI ground out and the Highlanders pulled to within one. UCR tied it in the fifth as Festa scored on a RBI double by Powis to tie the game at six.

Smitheran Reaches 1000 Win Milestone
(2/16/2002) - UC Riverside Head Coach Jack Smitheran earned his 1000 career victory in the Highlanders' 9-5 victory over the #22 San Diego Toreros on Sunday, at San Diego, CA.
Smitheran entered the three-game weekend series with San Diego needing just three victories to reach the milestone, and his team responded, sweeping the three game set with the Toreros. In his career, the Hall of Fame head coach is 1000-705-3 over 32 years.
Smitheran has been at the helm of the UC Riverside baseball program for the past 28 years, compiling an 8