University of Nevada Las Vegas
Saint Mary's
2/4/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 4, 2003
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
LAS VEGAS - The UNLV softball team lost both ends of its doubleheader against Saint Mary's on Tuesday, falling 5-2 in the opener and 4-3 in the nightcap at Eller Media Stadium.
The Rebels (2-2) got off to a good start on the day, drawing first blood on a Kacey Ellis triple that scored Becky McDonald from first in the bottom of the second inning.
Ellis, making her first start of the year, quickly surrendered the lead as the Gaels (3-3) took advantage of two hits and a fielding error to knot the game at one.
Saint Mary's continued to roll in the next inning, scoring four runs on five hits and another Rebel error in the fourth to take a commanding 5-1 lead.
UNLV was able to tack one more run on in the fifth on a Wendy Godwin single, but could not manage any more offense.
Saint Mary's pitcher Jordan Larsen went the distance for the Gaels, giving up nine hits. Ellis lost her first decision of the year, allowing eight hits in four innings.
UNLV looked to even the score in the nightcap, but found itself in an early hole after a single, stolen base and double put Saint Mary's on top before the Rebels even stepped to the plate.
The Rebels made up the single run in the bottom of the first, scoring leadoff hitter Bridget Byrne on a single to right field by Godwin.
Things settled down for a few innings as Rebel pitcher Becky McDonald and SMC hurler Jennifer Eaton mowed down hitters through the next three innings. Not a single hit was allowed on either side until the bottom of the fourth, when UNLV led off with two hits and drew a walk to load the bases with nobody out. Eaton locked down, getting the next three hitters out and keeping the game tied.
The Gaels took advantage in the next half-inning, pushing three runs across on clutch hitting from the heart of the lineup. Singles by Michelle Hanifin and Claudia Williams produced enough offense to seal the win.
Despite the losses, both Lisa Moses and Wendy Godwin collected hits in each game and have hit safely in all four Rebels games this year.
The Rebels hit the road for the first time this season this week when they head to Phoenix to compete in the Fiesta Bowl Tournament from Friday, Feb. 7 through Sunday, Feb. 9. UNLV will square off against Stanford, Texas, Oregon State, Texas Tech and Southwest Texas State.
