March 21, 2003
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The UNLV softball team lost its second one-run decision of the week, falling to Long Island 2-1 at the Capital Classic on Friday.
Fresh off an upset victory over Iowa, the Rebels (14-19) played even with the Blackbirds (5-12) for five innings before two hits in the sixth scored the winning run for LIU.
LIU went to work early, getting a leadoff triple from Rosette Rough off Rebel starter Kacey Ellis. An unusual twist then saw Rough caught in a rundown between third and home. Seven spot-on throws from the defense later, Rough was nabbed at the plate, but Leah Glenn managed to run all the way to third in the confusion. Ellis recorded a quick strikeout for the inning's second out before LIU designated player Briana Mathieson drove the ball to right for the game's first run.
The Rebels bounced right back, leading off the bottom of the first with back-to-back singles from Bridget Byrne and Morgan Bostwick. Byrne, who stole second before advancing to third on Bostwick's hit, saved a second out by forcing the defense to ignore Lisa Moses on an infield ground ball and protect against the run.
With the bases loaded and nobody out, Pauline Glenn grounded to the first baseman, but the Blackbirds couldn't get the ball home in time to get Byrne, and the game was tied.
That was all UNLV could manage, however, as a double play and a pop out ended the threat.
Both pitchers went to work after the first. With the exception of one fielding error, LIU starter Jackie Brown retired 10 straight, fanning five over that span. Ellis was effective also, scattering three more hits over the next four innings without giving up a run.
Deadlocked at 1-1, LIU's Margie Foster led off the sixth with a single to center and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt. Ellis picked up her fourth strikeout of the game and looked as if she might again escape the jam, but Alicia Ciccarello roped a double to left center, driving in what proved to be the winning run.
UNLV picked up just one more hit in the game, a shot to left by Lisa Moses. But Moses was caught stealing, and the Rebels were unable to produce another base runner.
Now at 14-19 overall and 1-2 in the tournament, the Rebels return to action on Saturday morning. They open the day against defending national champ Cal at 10 a.m., and then get a chance to avenge their loss to Utah State three weeks ago.
