March 31, 2000

LAS VEGAS - The UNLV softball team snapped a 12-game losing streak by defeating BYU, 4-3, in the second game of a Mountain West Conference doubleheader at Rebel Diamond on Friday.

The win earned UNLV (14-20, 1-1 MWC) a split in the series, its first ever as a MWC member. The Cougars (9-12, 1-1 MWC) took the first game, 4-2.

In the opener, Nicole Truax held the Cougars scoreless through six innings, surrendering only three hits. BYU rebounded in the seventh, using five singles and a Rebel error to overcome a 2-0 deficit and rally for the 4-2 win.

Undaunted, UNLV took the lead in the night cap, 2-1, on a two-run homer by shortstop Racheal Goodpaster in the fourth inning.

For the second time in the doubleheader, UNLV clung to a thin lead heading into the seventh. And, for the second time of the day, BYU found an answer. Back-to-back errors put the go-ahead run on base for the Cougars.

Mindi Hanson then singled to score the tying run and Jackie Ellis' single put BYU on top, 3-2.

The Rebels came within one out of dropping their 13th straight game, but Cassie Dysert doubled with nobody on and two outs in the bottom of the seventh, and came around to score on a throwing error by BYU.

Geney Orris sat the Cougars down in order in the eighth, leaving the game in the hands of her offense. Following leadoff single by Nicole Miller and a sacrifice bunt by Goodpaster to put Miller in scoring position, Melissa Inouye singled to right center field, scoring Miller easily from second and snapping the Rebels' skid.

UNLV will host Utah in another conference doubleheader on Sunday at 12 noon at Rebel Diamond.