University of Nevada Las Vegas
Utah St
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Softball
February 14, 1999
TEMPE, Ariz. - The Rebels (3-1) split games in their first day at the Fiesta Bowl Tournament, defeating Utah State 6-4 and losing to #8 Nebraska 5-9.
In the first game the Rebels faced the Aggies of Utah State. UNLV got off to a quick start on back-to-back home runs on the Rebels' second and third at bats as Racheal Goodpaster and Nicole Miller both hit their second home runs of the season. Utah State scored two runs in the bottom of the half of the first to even the game. The Aggies took a 3-2 lead in the third when Rebel pitcher Nicole Truax walked Tammy Alcantar in for the go-ahead run. The Aggies then took a two run lead in the fourth when they scored off Alcantar's double. The Rebels battled back with two runs in the top half of the fifth when Geney Orris drove in Goodpaster and Keao Chang. In the sixth the Rebels finally took the lead when Amy Alves crossed the plate on an error by the Aggies third baseman. The Rebels scored an insurance run in the seventh on Stephanee Italiano's RBI-single and UNLV went on to win 6-4. Charelle Ainslie picked up the win to go 2-0 on the season.
In the nightcap, the Rebels went up against the #8-ranked team in the nation, Nebraska. Once again UNLV jumped to the early lead with two home runs in the first. Miller hit her second of the day, a two-run shot over the centerfield fence. Two batters later pitcher Geney Orris hit an in-the-park home run and the Rebels went up 3-0. Nebraska drew even in the second when Jenifer Williams hit a two-run homer and Orris walked a run home. The Huskers scored four more unanswered runs in the third aided by three walks and a base hit by Ginger Taylor. Coberg had a solo home run in the Rebels' first at bat of the third and Alves scored a run in the fourth but UNLV was not able to stop the potent offense of Nebraska as the Huskers went on to win 9-5. Orris picked up the loss for the Rebels to go 1-1 on the season.
UNLV plays two more games Saturday against Mississippi State and host Arizona State, at 1:00pm and 5:30pm, respectively.
