April 15, 2001
Albuquerque, NM - The UNLV softball team (24-20, 5-5 MWC) split a doubleheader with New Mexico 32-17-1, 5-4-1 MWC) on Sunday. The Rebels won game one 4-2 and New Mexico won the nightcap 10-9 in eight innings.
The Rebels opened the scoring in the top of the first inning with a solo home run by junior Samantha Kimura, her fourth of the season. UNLV scored two more runs in the fourth inning as senior Linda Garza belted a two-run shot, her second of the year. The Lobos answered right back, scoring two runs in the bottom of the inning, cutting the Rebel advantage to 3-2 on a two-run double by Rachael Wennekamp. UNLV posted the insurance run in the sixth inning, giving it a 4-2 lead and the Lobos were unable to answer. Freshman hurler Kacey Ellis won her 11th game of the season for the Rebels. Senior Racheal Goodpaster went 3-3 with two runs and three stolen bases in the opener.
Game two went extra-innings to decide who would win. UNLV came in with a 4-0 record in extra-innings games this season.
The second game began with the Rebels getting off to another quick start, taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning. The Lobos answered in the bottom of the inning, equalizing the game at one apiece. The Rebels looked as if they were going to put the game away, scoring five runs in the third inning to take a 6-1 lead. However, the Lobos had the answer again, scoring four runs in the bottom of the third, cutting the Rebel advantage to 6-5.
UNLV added runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to take a 9-7 lead going into the bottom of the seventh. The Lobos hit a two-run single by Elena Cranmer to send the game into extra-innings.
The Rebels were unable to get anything across in the eighth, leaving the door open for the Lobos to steal the game in the bottom of the inning. New Mexico's Tiffani Chambers hit a run-scoring double to seal the deal for the Lobos in game two. Rebel freshman Bridget Byrne finished the game 2-3 with two runs and Goodpaster finished 2-3, one run, one RBI and two stolen bases. For the day Goodpaster went 5-6, three runs, RBI and five stolen bases.
The Rebels will travel to San Diego State for a doubleheader on Saturday. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m. UNLV will return home May 4 with a doubleheader against the Lobos beginning at noon at the Rebel Diamond.
