On Saturday May 2, the University of California, Riverside (UCR) softball team faced the University of Hawai’i (UH) for the third and final time for the 2026 season. After coming off a 6-1 loss in the game prior, the Highlanders were hopeful for their first win of the three-game series.
The Rainbow Wahine set the tone early in the top of the second inning. Carys Murakami was able to nail in a triple down the right field line to put herself in early scoring position. Shortly after, a triple from Ellyanna Cinzori allowed for Murakami to score the first run of the game.
UCR looked to respond, but the Highlanders were quickly halted after a strikeout from leadoff hitter Aubrey Marx. Despite putting runners on base through scattered singles and defensive miscues by Hawai’i, UCR struggled to capitalize with runners in scoring position.
The game remained relatively quiet through the middle innings for the Highlanders. Rebeca Cabezas recorded a single up the middle in the second, while Jamie McGaughey added some energy in the third after stealing second base. Taylor Wren followed with a single, but again, the Highlanders were unable to convert these chances into runs, leaving runners stranded and allowing Hawai’i to maintain control of the game.
Both teams went down in order in the fourth inning, as pitching and defense briefly took center stage. However, the momentum quickly shifted in the fifth inning in favor of Hawai’i. Despite a standout defensive play from UCR’s Isabel McElroy, who robbed a potential home run with an impressive catch in the outfield, Hawai’i broke the game open shortly after. Fidge delivered a three-run home run to center field, giving Hawai’i a commanding 4-0 lead.
Hawai’i continued to apply pressure in the sixth inning, extending their lead even further. Ellyanna Cinzori launched a two-run home run to center field, bringing in Briana Maio-Silva and pushing the score to 6-0. The Highlanders found themselves in a difficult position as they headed onto the final inning of the game.
UCR managed to avoid a shutout in the seventh, showing resilience in their final at bats of the season. Trendee Kahunahana delivered an RBI single to right center, allowing Arianna Saldivar to score and cut the deficit to 6-1. While the late push provided a glimpse of fight, it ultimately was not enough to overcome Hawai’i’s earlier offensive surge.
The Highlanders closed out their 2026 season with a 6-1 loss, a result that did not fully reflect the effort shown throughout the game. Although UCR struggled to bring runners home, moments of strong defense and late-game determination highlighted the team’s tenacity.
With Senior Day marking the end of the road for several Highlanders, the game served as both a celebration of their contributions and a reminder of the foundation they leave behind. As the program looks ahead, UCR will aim to build on its experience and continue developing into a competitive force in the conference.
