March 16, 2002
Box Score
SACRAMENTO - After two successful comeback attempts, the UNLV softball team was unable to overcome a third Redhawk lead in the ninth inning and fell to Miami (Ohio) 4-3 in championship bracket play at the Capital Classic on Sunday.
After overcoming one-run deficits in both the fifth and eighth innings, the Rebels finally ran out of magic in the ninth, failing to score the tying run from second.
UNLV (16-17) briefly held the lead after scoring the game's first run in the bottom of the second. A throwing error on a pickoff attempt by Redhawk catcher Erin Kucera allowed Pauline Glenn to score from third.
The lead was short-lived as Miami (5-18) put up two runs in the top of the third. Keri Brisnehan's RBI double tied the game, and she came around to score the go-ahead run on a similar throwing error by Rebel catcher Melissa Inouye.
Miami held its 2-1 lead until a pair of leadoff singles in the fifth from Arica Painter and Carrie Bayless. Painter was erased on a fielder's choice, and a pop out by Bridget Byrne left runners at first and second with two outs. Geney Orris slammed a double down the left field line to score Bayless from second, but the relay from left beat Lisa Moses to the plate.
Neither team produced another scoring opportunity in regulation, and the pitching duel between Rebel starter Jackie Kerrigan and Miami ace Jackie Poggendorf was forced into extra innings.
With the tie-breaker rules in effect, Miami began the extra frame with Jessica Zogaib at second base. Zogaib broke the tie, scoring on a throwing error by Rebel shortstop Morgan Bostwick.
UNLV, however, got it right back as Orris hit her second double of the game to score Moses from second. UNLV kept the rally alive, loading the bases on a Redhawk error and an intentional walk. Miami used a little magic of its own, getting Kacey Ellis to line into a double play to quell the threat and end the inning.
Miami took a lead for the third time in the game in the ninth, again scoring its given runner. Jacque Molinaro hit a long fly ball to left field, scoring the runner on a sacrifice fly. UNLV could not answer as Poggendorf sat them down in order to seal the win.
Kerrigan was the hard-luck loser, falling to 7-7 on the year despite giving up just a single earned run. The loss also snapped a three-game winning streak for the freshman hurler, who was named to the Capital Classic all-tournament team.
The loss eliminates UNLV from the tournament. The Rebels will return to Las Vegas before next Thursday's 1:00 p.m. doubleheader at Southern Utah.
