March 16, 2002

Box Score

SACRAMENTO - A three-run home run by first baseman Kacey Ellis proved to be the difference, but the UNLV softball team continued to drive in runs as the Rebels defeated Long Island University 6-2 in the first round of bracket play at the Capital Classic softball tournament on Saturday.

Ellis' long ball, her first of the year, sailed over the left field fence in the fourth inning for the game's first and ultimately deciding runs.

LIU (5-13) threatened to answer in the bottom of the inning. Third baseman Margie Foster started the rally with a one-out double. Catcher Kathy Waddilove, a Henderson native and former high school teammate Rebel starting pitcher Nicole Truax at Green Valley High School, singled and advanced to give the Blackbirds runners at second and third. After a subsequent walk and single to break up the shutout, Truax was relieved by Jackie Kerrigan.

With the bases still loaded, Kerrigan allowed a single to Rosetta Rough, and LIU cut the lead to 3-2. However, UNLV (16-16) escaped the bases-loaded jam as Kerrigan struck out the next two batters to end the inning.

The two strikeouts began a string of nine straight hitters retired by Kerrigan. Only a hit batsman in the seventh prevented her from retiring the last 11.

UNLV tacked on three insurance runs in the top of the seventh, primarily courtesy of three Blackbird errors.

Kerrigan picked up the victory and climbed over .500 for the first time this season. The Rebels also hit the .500 mark for the first time since they fell to 9-9 on Feb. 24.

The Rebels advance to second round play in the championship bracket where they will face Miami (Ohio), who defeated Virginia, 3-1.