May 9, 2002

Box Score

PROVO, Utah - Morgan Bostwick hit a bases-loaded single to ignite a four-run fourth inning and lead UNLV to a 5-1 victory over Colorado State in the first round of the Mountain West Conference Softball Tournament on Thursday.

Timely hitting was the key for the Rebels as three of the team's eight base hits came in the fourth. Carrie Bayless led off the inning with an infield single, and the Rams walked both Geney Orris and Pauline Glenn to load the bases. Bostwick then lifted a single to left field to drive in the first run.

Playing station-to-station softball, the Rebels scored twice more on an RBI walk by Melissa Inouye and a sacrifice fly by Amber Campbell. A Bridget Byrne single brought home the Rebels' fourth run of the inning.

After establishing its lead, UNLV cruised to its fourth win in five meetings with the Rams (17-32) behind a valiant pitching effort from Kacey Ellis. Ellis held the Rams to just a pair of singles through five innings before losing her shutout bid in the sixth to a Amanda Kocis RBI double.

Jackie Kerrigan relieved Ellis after the Rams scored and earned her fourth save of the year without giving up another hit. Her fourth save ties the UNLV single-season school record, set by Amie Stewart in 1994.

Half of the Rebels' eight hits came from the bat of Byrne, who went a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with two infield singles, an RBI and a run scored. Orris was 0-for-1, striking out once while drawing three walks.

With the victory, the Rebels advance to the second round of tournament play where they will face No. 2 Utah on Thursday at 4:30 p.m.