March 16, 2000

FULLERTON - The UNLV Rebel Softball team fell to No. 22 DePaul (2-1) and No. 10 Oregon State (3-0) on the first day of competition at the Kia Classic. UNLV sits 13-11 on the year and will challenge No. 5 Oklahoma tomorrow at 3:00pm (PST).

In game one against DePaul, UNLV's Linda Garza went 3 for 4 at the plate and had the only run for the Rebels. Nicole Miller drove in her team high 22nd RBI of the season in the top of the sixth, bringing in Garza. Nicole Truax, on her way to pitch two complete games, allowed two runs in five hits, struck out three, and walked one against 23 batters faced.

The Blue Demons scored two runs early in the game and were able to hold off the Rebels in their sixth inning rally. They improve to 6-7 on the year.

Against the Beavers, UNLV battled through eight innings before giving up three runs in the top of the ninth. Truax was brilliant on the mound allowing only three hits, striking out five, and walking two through eight innings. Arica Painter tallied her first hit of the season pinch hitting for Danielle Ferreira in the bottom of the seventh.

Oregon St. was able to score three runs in the top of the ninth with a Jodoin RBI double and a Prochaska RBI (2) single. The Beavers improve to 19-5-1 for the season.