RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Utah Valley dropped the first two games of its road WAC series against the California Baptist Lancers, falling 1-0 and 5-1 in a Friday doubleheader.

Katie Zuniga was masterful in the series opener, tossing a complete game. Zuniga allowed just one unearned run on three hits while striking out three. 

Kalena Shepherd was forced out due to injury after barely stepping foot on the field. Shepherd was hit by a foul ball in the top of the first while standing in the on-deck circle when Megan Gibbs was batting. Mya Higareda would come on as her replacement, and picked up her first collegiate hit in the top of the second. 

Libbie Hawker went 2-for-3 in the opener, and Rylee Thorpe went 0-for-1 with a pair of walks. Higareda went 1-for-3 with a single. 

The Wolverines' best chance at scoring came in the third inning when Angelique Mann reached on an errant throw that sailed down the right field line. Libbie Hawker tried to score all the way from first, but the throw to the plate beat her by half a step. 

CBU scored their lone run in the fifth after a two-base error led off the inning. Zuniga was able to get two of her three strikeouts in the inning, but between them the Lancers got an RBI double. 

In game two, Brooke Saili didn't have her sharpest command, as the senior walked five in 4.1 innings pitched and allowed three runs, two earned. Jorja Barrett came on in relief and pitched the final 1.2 innings, striking out three while allowing two ER. 

Katelyn Bridgeman went 2-for-3 in her first-career start with a pair of singles. Gibbs brought in the only Wolverine run of the day on a solo homer in the top of the seventh. 

CBU put up one run in the first, third, and fifth innings before breaking through for two in the sixth. 

Utah Valley will close out the series tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m. MDT. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and live stats will be available at UVUStats.com.