UC Riverside managed just three hits in Friday’s Big West opener against Hawaii, but the Highlanders’ execution and Chelsea Ponce’s pitching proved to be the difference in a 2-1 win over the Rainbow Wahine.

Natalie Sanchez’s pinch-hit single in the fifth inning and Taylor Wright’s sacrifice fly in the seventh accounted for UCR’s scoring and the Highlanders picked up their first win over UH since 2003.

Ponce struck out four, walked five and gave up five hits, but UH left 10 runners on base in falling to 19-15.

The series concludes on Saturday with a doubleheader set for 4 p.m. at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

UH took the lead in the bottom of the third without hitting a ball out of the infield. Keiki Carlos reached on a two-base throwing error on a grounder to shortstop and advanced to third on Kayla Wartner’s groundout. An error on Heather Morales’ grounder to second then allowed Carlos to score.

UH threatened to add to the lead in the fourth when Rachel Lack lined a single to center with Kristina Akiona on second. But UCR center fielder Jenna Curtan’s throw to the plate arrived ahead of Akiona to end the inning.

UH right-hander Kanani Aina Cabrales retired eight consecutive hitters before issuing a walk to Wright with two out in the top of the fifth. A passed ball advanced Wright to second and Sanchez worked the count full before lining a single to right center to drive in the tying run.

UH loaded the bases in the sixth when Akiona reached on a fielders choice, Tayana Mata singled and Lack walked in a 12-pitch at bat. But Ponce got out of the inning with a ground out to second base to preserve the tie.

Rebecca Faulkner singled to lead off the top of the seventh and Kris DeAnda followed with a bunt. Lack’s throw to first was wild allowing Faulkner to advance to third. With one out, Wright lifted a fly ball to left field to score pinch-runner Samantha Hernandez with the go-ahead run.

Leisha Li’ili’i walked with two out in the bottom of the seventh and pinch-runner Jordan Burton advanced on a wild pitch. But UCR second baseman Haley Harris snared Lindsey Willmon’s grounder in the hole and threw to first for the final out.