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UC Riverside Highlander Softball Inks Nicole Bethurum to National Letter of Intent

(11/21/01) - The UC Riverside women's softball team signed its first player of the 2001 early signing period Wednesday, as 5-8 pitcher Nicole Bethurum of Downey, CA signed a National Letter of Intent.

Bethurum will graduate from Downey High School in the Spring and will enter UCR as a freshman. "Nicole's versatility will allow her to get into the line-up quickly but she has unlimited pitching potential," says UCR Head Coach Rachel Miller-Reif. "She can play first base as well and has a powerful bat." Nicole is a three-time letterwinner and has been named to the all-league team. She played travel ball for the California Rebels.

UC Riverside Highlander Softball Inks Melissa Sanchez to National Letter of Intent

(11/26/01) - The UC Riverside women's softball team signed its second player of the 2001 early signing period Wednesday, as 5-10 first baseman Melissa Sanchez of Rosemead, CA signed a National Letter of Intent.

Sanchez will graduate from Rosemead High School in the Spring and will enter UCR as a freshman. "Her strong bat and tough work ethic will impact us immediately," says UCR Head Coach Rachel Miller-Reif. She played travel ball for California Sudden Impact. Sanchez provides versatility for the Highlanders as she can also play third base.

The Highlanders will be competing in their first official year in Division I and the Big West Conference.

UC Riverside Softball Signs Kim Dillon to National Letter of Intent

(11/28/01) - The UC Riverside softball team signed pitcher/1B Kim Dillon of Los Alamitos HS to a National Letter of Intent.

"Kim is a very powerful pitcher. She can throw the ball hard and can swing the bat as well," UCR Head Coach Rachel Miller-Reif said. "I believe her contribution will be immediate."

Dillon, a native of Seal Beach, suffered an ankle injury that limited her play last season, but has fully recovered from the injury.

The Highlanders will be playing their first season of Division I competition in the 2001 season.

Associate Head Coach Connie Miner Announces Resignation

(August 5, 2002) - The University of California Riverside announced the resignation of Softball Associate Head Coach Connie Miner on Monday.

Miner will be leaving to take a similar position at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. "Connie has been a tremendous asset to this program and will be missed but we wish her the best of luck at North Carolina," Head Coach Rachel-Miller Reif said.

She spent the last two seasons at UCR with duties including recruiting and was in charge of the Highlander pitching staff and outfielders as well as assisting with day-to-day team operations.

Prior to UCR, Miner was a head coach at Eastern Michigan and San Jose State, compiling a record of 351-409-2 record in her career, 269-257 at Eastern Michigan and 82-152 in four years at San Jose State.

UCR Hires Mike Smith as Assistant Women's Softball Coach

(September 12, 2002) - The University of California, Riverside women's softball program has hired Mike Smith as an assistant coach, Head Coach Rachel Miller-Reif announced Thursday.

Smith spent the last four seasons as head coach at Biola University, accumulating a 156-72 record. He was named 2001 Golden State Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, building the program from the ground up. Smith led the team to the 2001 Golden State Athletic Conference Championship and the 2002 NAIA Region II Championship. He produced three All-Americans, seven Academic All-Americans and 10 first team all-conference players. Smith was also a pitching coach for men's baseball at Biola during the 1997 and 1998 seasons.

"I am very excited to add Mike to our coaching staff," Miller-Reif said. "His experience is a great addition especially in rebuilding a program."

Smith graduated from the Master's College in 1992 with a bachelor's degree in physical education and received his teaching credential from Cal State Fullerton in 1998. He attended San Diego City College and was named First-Team All-Pacific Coast before moving on to the Master's College. In 1991 and 1992, he was named first team all-conference.

From 1992-94, Smith played in the St. Louis Cardinals Miner league system. He continued playing for independent teams, Prairie League (1995), Long Beach Riptide (1996), Mission Viejo Vigilantes (1997-98), and in the Western Baseball League (1996-2001). He was named most valuable pitcher of the Prairie League in 1995 and pitcher of the year in 1997 and 1998. In 2000, he was named most valuable player of the championship series.

UCR Softball Coach Rachel Reif Announces Resignation

(2/3/03) - UC Riverside Head Softball Coach Rachel Reif has submitted her resignation, Athletics Director Stan Morrison announced Monday.

Morrison said that Reif submitted her resignation "for personal reasons." It is effective immediately.

“We are very grateful for the hard work by Coach Reif over the last three-plus years,” Morrison said. “We wish her well in her future endeavors.”

Assistant Coach Mike Smith has been appointed interim head softball coach through the 2003 season. Assistant Coaches Amie Stewart and Brandy Chavez will remain with the team.

The Highlanders open the 2003 season on Wednesday as they host No. 1 ranked UCLA at the UCR Softball Field.

"Of course this is a distraction, but our team must be focused on the task at hand and prepare to play UCLA, on Wednesday," Morrison said. "I expect us to be ready to compete.”

Reif was hired at UCR in September, 1999 following five seasons as head coach at Bowling Green State University (1994-98). In her three seasons at UCR, she compiled a record of 38-124-1.

UCLA Sweeps UCR in Home Opener

(Feb. 5, 2003) - (Riverside, CA) – The #1 ranked UCLA Bruins hit eight home runs in rout to a sweep of the UC Riverside Highlanders 15-0 and 20-0 at the UCR Softball Field on Wednesday afternoon.

Centerfielder Stephanie Ramos led the Bruins (5-1) with 8-for-10 with two home runs with eight RBI and seven runs scored in the two games. Tairia Mims went 5-for-7 with eight RBI and four runs scored, including a grand slam in the first game and another homer in game two. In all, the Bruins had 38 hits on the day.

Bruin pitcher Keira Goerl (4-1) went the distance in the first game, allowing only one hit while striking out 12. Highlander shortstop Kristen Hernandez provided the lone Highlander hit in the sixth inning. Junior Jenell Jackson (0-1) took the loss, giving up six runs on 11 hits in 4.2 innings.

Michelle Turner (1-0) earned her first collegiate win, throwing a four-hit shutout in game two while striking out two. Freshman Kimberly Dillon (0-1) got the loss for UCR, giving up eight runs on eight hits in 2.1 innings.

The Highlanders (0-2) return to action on Friday in the Long Beach State Tournament.

UCR Drops Two at Long Beach Tourney

(Feb. 8, 2003) - (Long Beach, CA) – The Highlanders dropped their opening two games at the Long Beach State tournament 8-4 to the Canadian team and 4-3 to Long Beach on Saturday afternoon.

The Highlanders opened the tournament with an 8-4 loss to the Canadian team, but the game is played as an exhibition so the loss does not count.

In the second game, the Highladners got on the board first when Angie Castellanos was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, bringing in Karli Burneleit. UCR took a 3-0 lead on a Burneleit double, driving in Jeannine Robison and Kristen Hernandez who had singled.

However, the 49ers answered right back with two in the second, then added one in the fifth to tie the game at 3-3. Tiffanie Wedell doubled home Lauren Johnson who had singled and pitcher Lindsey Knoff (3-1) threw a perfect seventh to take the game 4-3. Knoff gave up three runs on four hits in 7.0 innings while Dillon (0-2) got the loss, going 1.1 innings, giving up one run on two hits. Highlander starter Jenell Jackson went 4.2 innings, giving up seven hits and three runs - two earned.

The Highlanders (0-3) return to action on Sunday in the Long Beach State Tournament.

Dillon Leads UCR Past LMU, 5-0

(Feb. 9, 2003) - (Long Beach, CA) - Freshman Kim Dillon threw a shutout to lead the Highlanders past the Loyola Marymount Lions 5-0 at the Long Beach State Tournament on Sunday afternoon.

Dillon (1-2) gave up only two hits and struck out three while her counterpart, Sami Strinz gave up 12 hits and five runs in seven innings.

Riverside got on the board early with two in the first on RBI singles by sophomore Jeannine Robison and freshman Melissa Sanchez.

The Highlanders tacked on three more in the sixth, the big blow by junior Jessica Gonzalez' single, driving in sophomore Suzzanne Dallas and Sanchez.

Four Highlanders had two hits each, Karli Burneleit, Sanchez, Dallas and Kristen Hernandez.

Riverside lost to the Canadian team for the second day in a row, 10-4.

The Highlanders (0-3) return to action on Tuesday at Loyola Marymount at 1:00 PM.

Game at Loyola Marymount Postponed

(Feb. 11, 2003) - Today's scheduled game between UC Riverside and Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles, CA has been postponed due to the weather.

A tentative date of Tuesday, April 8 at 2:00 PM at Loyola Marymount has been scheduled between the coaches.

Bethurum Leads UCR to Split at UNLV Tourney

(Feb. 14, 2003) - Freshman Nicole Bethurum took a no-hitter six and one-third innings before surrendering back-to-back hits in the seventh in a 3-0 win over Central Michigan to earn a split on the first day at the UNLV Classic Tournament.The Highlanders lost a heartbreaker to Texas Tech 7-5 in the early game.

Bethurum (1-0) held the Chippewas (0-2) to just two hits, walked two and struck out four. Riverside gave her all the run support she would need when junior Andrea Cunningham singled to left scoring freshman Jessica Black who had doubled to leadoff the inning.

UCR (2-4) added two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth. With the bases loaded, Black hit a fly to right field that dropped in for a base hit, scoring sophomore Kristen Hernandez and an error allowed freshman Melissa Sanchez to score. Jessica Garvin (0-1) got the loss, going 5.1 innings and giving up three runs (2 earned) on six hits and striking out six.

In the first game, the Highlanders got on the board first with two runs in the bottom of the third on RBI singles by Sanchez and sophomore Allison Solis to make it 2-0. The Red Raiders got one back in the fourth and two in the sixth but UCR answered in the bottom half of the inning on both occasions as Riverside still led 5-3.

However, Texas Tech (6-7) was not done, scoring four in the top of the seventh on four hits and one error. Tech pitcher Amie Stines (2-3) shut the Highlanders done in order to preserve the 7-5 win. Stines gave up five runs (four earned) on eight hits and struck out three. Freshman Kim Dillon (1-3) took the loss, throwing 1.2 innings and giving up four runs - 2 earned - on six hits and one strike out.

UCR Stands at 2-2 in UNLV Tournament

(Feb. 15, 2003) - Junior Jenell Jackson led the UC Riverside Highlanders to their second consecutive win at the UNLV Softball Classic, defeating Portland State, 3-0 but UCR fell in the nightcap 6-1 to Oregon State.

The Highlanders (3-5) provided all the support Jackson (1-1) would need with a run in the first and tacked on two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth. Morgan Seibert (0-2) took the loss, giving up three runs on six hits.

The Highlanders scored a run in the first on an RBI single from Suzanne Dallas, scoring Karli Burneleit but the Beavers tallied three runs in their half, helped in part by a triple from Stephanie Adams. Oregon State added three more runs in the second inning behind homers from Adams and Shelly Prochaska.

Freshman hurler Amy Klever (2-0) picked up the complete game victory, allowing one run on five hits. Kim Dillon (1-4) picked up the loss, giving up six runs on six hits in 2.1 innings.

The Highlanders finish up the tournament with a 11:30 game tomorrow against Purdue.

Purdue Defeats UCR 10-1 in UNLV Finale

(Feb. 16, 2003) - The Highlanders ran into a dominating offensive effort by Purdue in a 10-1 mercy rule loss in the finale of the UNLV Classic in Las Vegas, NV.

The Highlanders (3-6) scored their only run of the game in the fifth on an RBI double by Nicole Bethurum that scored Suzanne Dallas.

However, the Boliermakers (4-5) scored 10 runs on 10 hits, including a two-run home run and grand slam by leadoff hitter Tricia Lilley. Lilley finished the day with six RBI and three runs scored. Purdue scored one in the first, two in the third, three in the fourth and four in the fifth.

Jenell Jackson (1-1) took the loss going 3.2 innings of work, giving up six runs on eight hits while Nicole Bethurum finished the game off with 0.1 innings, giving up two hits and four runs on Lilley's grandslam to end the game. Leighann Burke (3-3) got the win, giving up three hits and one run in five innings of work.

The Highlanders return to action at home on Thursday against Hawaii at 1:00 PM.

Highlanders Split with Hawaii

(Feb. 20, 2003) - The UC Riverside Softball team split their two games against the University of Hawaii at the UCR Softball Field today losing the first one 7-2, and winning the second one 4-3.

On a controversial call in the first inning of the first game Hawaii was able to score four runs. Freshman Melissa Sanchez dove and appeared to catch a bunt attempt by Hawaii’s Tracie Uchima, which would have resulted in a double play for the Highlanders, as they would have picked off Hannah Butler at first. However the umpire said that Sanchez did not catch the ball allowing Uchima to safely get to first and allowing Butler to advance to second. Two batters later Rainbow Wahine scored on a wild pitch, and Denise Dahlberg doubled in two runs, and Noelle Izumi singled in another run, allowing Hawaii to take the early 4-0 lead.

In the bottom of the first inning Suzanne Dallas singled in Jeannine Robison to give the Highlanders their first run of the game, and in the bottom of the seventh the Highlanders found themselves scoring their second and final run of the game as Sanchez singled advancing Robison to third, who then scored on an error by Justina Kahaku.

The Highlanders rebounded in the second game as they defeated the Rainbow Wahine 4-3.

In the top of the fourth Hawaii scored the first run of the game, but Riverside answered when freshman Jessica Black doubled allowing Sanchez and Dallas to score as the Highlanders took the 2-1 early lead.

The Highlanders kept the Rainbow Wahine in the game in the top of the fifth as Uchima scored on a throwing error by Jessica Gonzales on a steal attempt.

In the bottom of the fifth the Highlanders answered with two runs of their own as Karli Burneleit doubled home Jamie Yee, and scored on a single by Sanchez.

Hawaii gave Riverside a small scare as Trisha Ramos homered in the top of the sixth to cut the Highlanders lead down to one. But the Highlander defense bared down and pulled off the 4-3 victory.

UC Riverside will be back in action next week as they travel to Arizona State to play in the Arizona State Tournament from February 28th through March 2nd.

Top Ranked Teams Defeat UCR in Tempe

(February 28, 2003) - The UC Riverside Highlanders ran into two of the top ten teams in the nation and could not keep pace, falling 7-4 to #9 Oklahoma and 16-0 to #10 Arizona State in a round robin format played in Tempe, AZ.

UCR (4-9) got on the board first in the second on an RBI single by Andrea Cunningham but Tiffany Weight hit a three-run homer in the home half of the inning and put OU up 3-1. A single by Melissa Sanchez plated Karli Burneleit in the top of the third to cut the margin to 3-2.

The Sooners (9-4) scored one in the fourth but freshman Jessica Black hit a two-run homer in the sixth to tie the score at 4-4. However Oklahoma had the last word in their half of the sixth, scoring three runs for the 7-4 win.

Nicole Denes (1-0) allowed one hit and two runs in three innings of work after replacing Dana Askins. Jenell Jackson (1-4) took the loss, allowing four runs on seven hits in four innings

In the second game, the Sun Devils (15-4) posted six runs in the second and 10 in the fourth inning in route to a five-inning mercy win. In the second inning, the Highlanders committed three errors that helped to lead to the six runs.

Arizona State's Ashley Werschky (3-0) started the game, going four innings with four hits before giving way to Cheryl Evans for the final inning. Freshman Kim Dillon (2-5) started the game for UCR, allowing six hits and six runs (3 earned). Jenell Jackson pitched the last two innings, giving up 10 runs (4 earned) on nine hits.

The Highlanders return to action against the Sun Devils tomorrow at 7:00 PM.

#10 ASU Defeats UCR For Second Day in a Row

(March 1, 2003) - For the second straight night, the 10th-ranked Arizona State softball team (16-5) shutout UC Riverside 7-0 at Farrington Stadium.

The Sun Devils jumped all over starting pitcher Nicole Bethurum (1-1) for five runs in the first and adding one in the second and fifth innings.

The Highlanders (4-10) had only three hits off Desiree Serano (10-3) who struck out six. Bethurum was charged with six runs - four earned on ten hits in 2.0 innings. Jenell Jackson came in to relieve and gave up one run on two hits in four innings.

The Highlanders return to action against the Sooners and Sun Devils at 10:30 AM and 3:00 PM.

UCR Finishes Weekend Winless Against Top Ranked Teams

(March 2, 2003) - In the final day of the round robin format, the Highlanders fell to #9 Oklahoma 13-1 and #10 Arizona State 9-2 at Farrington Stadium in Tempe.

OU (11-3) got on the board first with a run in the first and added three in the third to go up 4-0. However, the Sooners exploded for five in the fourth and four in the fifth. UCR got their lone run in the fourth when Jessica Black scored on a passed ball.

Nicole Denes (2-0) pitched all five innings for OU, giving up one unearned run on six hits. Freshman Kim Dillon went five innings and gave up all 13 runs on 15 hits.

UCR (4-12) scored their first run against the Devils all weekend when Jessica Gonzales singled in Melissa Sanchez who was earlier hit by a pitch by ASU starter Ashley Werschky. The Devils (17-6) responded back with a run of their own in the second but Riverside got one back in the fourth when Angie Castellanos singled in Sanchez. ASU posted two more runs in the fifth off back-to-back home runs by Adriana Garcia and Cheryl Evans, and three more in the sixth.

Werschky (4-1) went the distance, allowing seven hits and two runs. Jenell Jackson (1-5) took the loss, giving up six runs on 11 hits in five innings.

The Highlanders return to action on Thursday as they travel to Hawaii for a tournament.

Highlanders Fall to #25 Baylor, 4-2

(March 6, 2003) - The UC Riverside Highlanders lost to the No. 25 Baylor Bears 4-2 in the first day of action at the Malahini Tournament hosted by the University of Hawaii.

For the eighth time in their last 10 games, the Lady Bears (19-8) scored in the first inning. With two outs, Kelly Osburn doubled off the fence in right. Caudle followed with a double to right-center, scoring Osburn.

Caudle added another RBI with a one-out solo home run in the third and Baylor added two more runs in the fourth on a Kim Wilmoth groundout and a balk by UCR pitcher Kim Dillon.

However, Riverside (4-13) dented the scoreboard with a run in the fifth when Jessica Black led off with a double to center, moved to third on a wild pitch and then scored on a Nicole Bethurum groundout. The Highlanders added a run on two hits and two Baylor errors in the sixth.

Joni Miller (5-2) allowed two runs, one earned, on five hits and no walks with seven strikeouts. Jennell Jackson (1-6) took the loss, going 2.2 innings and giving up two runs on four hits while Dillon finished the final 4.1 innings, giving up two runs on six hits.

Highlanders Defeat Buffalo 3-2 and Fall to Boston College 2-1

(March 7, 2003) - The UC Riverside Softball team came from behind to defeat the University of Buffalo Bulls 3-2 but fell in eight innings to Boston College 2-1 at the Malahini Tournament in Honolulu, HI.

The Highlanders scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning as junior Jessica Gonzalez drove in Angie Castellanos from third on a sacrifice fly to center.

Buffalo (4-3) got on the board first as Ann Magur singled to left, driving in two runs in the first inning to give the Bulls the early 2-0 advantage.

The Highlanders responded with two runs of their own in the bottom of the first as sophomore Karli Burneleit doubled to left center scoring Jamie Yee from second, and advanced to third on a throwing error. Melissa Sanchez flied out to center, scoring Burneleit from third.

Freshman Kim Dillon (3-6) got the win in relief of Nicole Bethurum, allowing only two hits and no runs in 3.0 innings. Stacey Evans got the loss, going 6.2 innings, giving up three runs - two earned - on four hits.

In the second game, UC-Riverside (5-14) broke into the scoring column first on a squeeze bunt that plated Melissa Sanchez in its half of the fourth inning. However, BC (5-10) would come back to tie it in the bottom half of the seventh inning, sending the game to extra innings. The Eagles were the benefactors of a hit batsman, a throwing error, and an RBI single by Kim Hopkin.

In the eighth inning, Cara Blumfield began the inning at second base and reached third on a wild pitch. With two outs, Lisa Field smacked an RBI single for the insurance run.

Tekae Malandris collected the win in relief, going 3.2 innings without giving up a hit. Jenell Jackson (1-7) was the hard luck loser, throwing a complete game and giving up two runs - none earned - on three hits.

Highlanders Drop Two in Hawaii Tourney

(March 8, 2003) - The UC Riverside Softball fell to the Loyola Marymount Lions 5-4 in eight innings and to the Univeristy of Hawaii 4-1 on Saturday night in the Malahini Tournament.

In game one, the Highlanders (5-16) jumped on the board first with two in the top of the second an RBI groudout by Nicole Bethrum that plated Melissa Sanchez and an RBI single by Andrea Cunningham, scoring Jessica Black. UCR added another in the third on an RBI double by Sanchez that scored Jeannine Robison.

The Lions (11-12) battle back to take the lead, scoring four runs in the bottom of the third, however, Riverside tied it up in the fifth as Robison scored on a fielding error.

For the second game in a row, the Highlanders went to extra innings and lost. Cassie Phillips singled home Jessica Grassi to give the Lions the come from behind win.

Jenell Jackson (1-7) took the loss for the Highlanders, going the final 4.2 innings, giving up one run on two hits. Krystal Kehr got the win, going the final 5.0 innings, giving up one run on four hits.

In the nightcap, Hawaii (12-7) got on the baord first with two in the second and one in the fifth to stake claim to a 3-0 lead. UCR got one back in the top of the sixth on an RBI double by Jessica Black that plated Jamie Yee who singled earlier in the inning.

But the Highlanders could not get any closer as the Wahine tacked on another run in the home half of the inning. Melissa Coogan (9-2) got the complete game win, giving up ne run on six hits. Nicole Bethurum (1-2) got the loss, giving up four runs on eight hits.

UCR Loses to Kent State in Tourney Finale

(March 9, 2003) - The UC Riverside Softball fell to the Ken State Golden Flashes 3-2 on Sunday afternoon in the finale of the Malahini Tournament.

The Highlanders (5-17) got on the board in the top of the first with a Jessica Black single that plated Jeannine Robison who singled to open tha game. UCR added another in the third on an error by shortstop Marci Ridenbaugh to go up 2-0.

Kent State (6-5) answered with three of their own in the home half of the third on two hits and an error and hung on for the 3-2 win.

Jenell Jackson (1-9) took the loss, giving up three rune - two earned - on four hits in six innings and struck out four. Melissa Rhodes (2-0) got the win for KSU, giving up two runs - one earned - on seven hits in a complete game effort.

No. 20 OSU Sweeps UCR

(Riverside, CA) The UC Riverside Softball team got swept by No. 20 Oregon State today at the UCR Softball Field, losing the early game 11-1, and the nightcap 7-1.

In the early game the Beavers (22-11) defeated the Highlanders in six by virtue of the mercy rule as they scored 11 runs, five of them coming in the sixth. OSU’s Cara Maxy led the offensive charge for the Beavers as she went three for four with three RBI.

UCR’s only run of the game came in the bottom of the sixth as freshman Angie Castellanos, pinch hitting for Jeannine Robison, doubled to center scoring Kristen Hernandez.

Oregon State’s Monica Hoffman (15-6) recorded the win for the Beavers, giving up zero runs on three hits, and Jenell Jackson (1-10) took the loss for Riverside, giving up six runs -three earned- on nine hits and two Highlander errors.

In the nightcap Oregon State scored three of its seven runs in the second and went 13 for 31 at the plate.
Riverside’s lone run came in the bottom of the fifth as Jamie Yee reached first on an error by third baseman Clare Burnum, allowing Castellanos to score from third.

OSU’s Hoffman recorded her second win of the day, giving up one unearned run on four hits while Riverside’s Nicole Bethurum (1-3) tool the loss, giving up seven runs on 13 hits.

UC Riverside will be back in action on Wednesday, as they will host Loyola Marymount at the UCR Softball Field at 12:00 PM.

UCR Swept by LMU

(Riverside, CA) The UC Riverside Softball team got swept by the Loyola Marymount Lions today at the UCR Softball Field, losing the early game 8-2, and the nightcap 4-2.

In the early game the Lions (14-14) scored four of their eight runs in their half of the fifth. At the plate Jessica Grassi did most of the damage knocking in three runs on a triple and a base hit.

UCR’s two runs came in the sixth as junior Karli Burneleit singled home Kristen Hernandez, and Melissa Sanchez singled in Jamie Yee.

Loyola Marymount’s Samantha Lavino (3-4) recorded the win for the Lions, giving up two runs on five hits, and Jenell Jackson (1-11) took the loss for Riverside, giving up six runs – two unearned- on 10 hits and two Highlander errors.

In the nightcap Loyola Marymount, feeding off their momentum for the early game, jumped on Riverside in the first inning as Trisha Gomes hit a three run homer to give the Lions the early 3-0 advantage.

The Highlanders responded with in their half of the first with a two run homer of their own as freshman Melissa Sanchez hit her first collegiate home run, cutting the deficit to one.

The Lions added the insurance run in the fifth as Danielle Kaminaka drove in Lisa Abbot on a sacrifice fly to right.

LMU’s Krystal Kehr (8-5) recorded the win for the Lions, giving up two runs on four hits while Riverside’s Nicole Bethurum (1-4) took the loss, giving up four runs on eight hits.

UC Riverside will travel to Long Beach State the weekend as they open conference play. Both games will start at 12:00PM.

UCR Swept by LBSU

March 29, 2003 - The UC Riverside Highlanders softball team opened up Big West play with two losses to the Long Beach State 49ers 3-1 and 5-0 at the 49er Softball Complex on Saturday afternoon.

UC Riverside (5-23, 0-2) opened up game one with a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning after an Andrea Cunningham sacrifice fly that scored Melissa Sanchez, who earlier reached base after being hit by a pitch.

Long Beach (12-14, 2-0) would rally in the bottom of the fourth inning when Jamie Farnworth connected for a two-out double that drove in Arleigh Thorp. LBSU would take the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth inning , when a UCR throwing error, after a Darcey Brown single, would score Farnworth and Riki Paredes.

Lindsey Knoff collected her eighth win of the season, after giving up one run on three hits and one strikeout in 7.0 innings of work. Jenell Jackson (1-12) took the loss, giving up three runs onseven hits in six innings.

In game two, Meredith Cervenka pitched a two-hitter, going 7.0 innings, and striking out seven. Nicole Betherum got the loss, allowing five runs - four earned - on eight hits in four innings.

The 49ers began the scoring in the bottom of the second inning, after a Roxanne Staniorski led off with a double. A Paredes single would then advance Staniorski to third base. Farnworth again connected for her second double of the day, driving in both Staniorski and Paredes.

The Beach would add two more insurance runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, after a Colleen Burdick triple plated Melanie McCauley and Farnworth.

LBSU and UC Riverside conclude the three-game series tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. at the 49er Complex.

Long Beach State Completes Sweep Over UCR

March 30, 2003 - The Long Beach State softball team defeated the UC Riverside Highlanders, 1-0 to sweep the three-game set on Sunday afternoon at the 49er Softball Complex. Long Beach State improved its mark to 13-14 (3-0 Big West), while UC Riverside dropped to 5-24 (0-3 Big West).

Lindsey Knoff (9-6) pitched her sixth shutout of the season, after allowing four hits, and striking out three. Jenell Jackson (1-12) pitched a solid game for the Highlanders, giving up one run on three hits.

The Niners scored the only run of the game in the first inning, when Arleigh Thorp scored off a Roxanne Staniorski two-out single. The Highlanders would threaten the 49er lead in the sixth inning after Jessica Gonzalez singled to lead things off. After a Jamie Yee bunt single, which advanced the pinch runner, Angie Castellanos, UCR had runners on first and second base, with one out. However, Knoff settled down and strike out the next two batters to get out of the jam.

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