Feb. 27, 1998

LAS VEGAS - UNLV (7-4) opened its conference season today against Tulsa (7-8) and took two by the scores of 8-2 and 3-2. The nightcap went nine innings before UNLV's Raven Coberg drove in the winning run. It was the second time this season Coberg had a game-winning RBI on the last at bat. The first was against Texas in the Rebels first game of the season at the ASU Coca Cola Classic.

In game one of the doubleheader Tulsa took a 1-0 lead in the first inning before surrendering three runs to the Rebels in the bottom of the first. The three scores included the first of two Nicole Miller home runs in the game. Tulsa and UNLV traded runs in the third inning to put the score at 4-2, UNLV. However, that would be all the scoring for the Golden Hurricane. UNLV added four more runs, all of which came off home runs. Raven Coberg had a three-run shot in the fifth and Miller's second home run came in the sixth. Kelly DeArman (2-1) got the win for the Rebels, giving up two runs, one earned, on seven hits. Tulsa's Tresa Green took the loss.

In the nightcap the game seemed to belong to the Golden Hurricane. Tulsa owned a 2-1 lead with two out in the bottom of the seventh when Stephanee Italiano drove in the tying run to send it into extra-innings. Italiano went 3-for-4 with a double and a RBI. She was also intentionally walked in the deciding inning to load the bases for Coberg's game-winning hit. Brandi Isgar (4-2) had an outstanding game on the mound with 12 strikeouts. She finished the game giving up two earned runs on five hits. She also went 2-for-3 at the plate with a double.

UNLV and Tulsa will resume action tomorrow in the second of two doubleheader days. The first game will begin at noon.