March 14, 2001

FULLERTON, Calif. - The UNLV softball team defeated No. 24 Cal State Northridge 7-5 in the first game of pool play for each school on Wednesday at the 2001 KIA Klassic.

These two teams split a pair of games last week in the UCLA Easton Classic. UNLV improves to 15-11 on the year and Northridge falls to 13-8.

The Matadors jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a double by pitcher Sarah Farnworth. The Rebels returned the favor in the bottom of the inning, scoring four runs on six hits. The Rebels' first three batters reached base on two singles and a double by junior Samantha Kimura scoring two runs. Senior Linda Garza added another double followed by two singles scoring two more runs.

Cal State Northridge took the lead again in the third inning as the Matadors scored three, taking a 5-4 advantage. The Rebels again knotted the game at five with a solo home run by senior Marisa Martinez, her first of her career.

UNLV again launched the long ball in the sixth inning, as senior Racheal Goodpaster went deep for the third time this season. The Rebels added the insurance run to take a 7-5 lead.

The Rebels will face Arizona on Thursday at 3:00 and round out pool play on Friday with Louisiana-Lafayette. Single-elimination bracket play will begin on Friday as well.