University of Nevada Las Vegas
New Mexico*
3/30/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 30, 2003
LAS VEGAS - Kacey Ellis' line drive to left drove in the game-winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning as the UNLV softball team defeated New Mexico, 4-3, in the opening game of Sunday's doubleheader. New Mexico bounced back to win the nightcap 7-1.
Ellis' hit capped the victory for the Rebels (16-23), who were forced to go to extra innings after the Lobos (16-24-1, 1-3) scored runs in both the sixth and seventh innings to tie it.
After both sides rolled through the order in the eighth and ninth innings, the Rebels looked as if the 10th would be no different with two quick outs. But Pauline Glenn kicked the rally off with a double to center, her third hit of the game. Jacqueline Kerrigan then followed with a single to center, advancing the winning-run to third. Ellis then delivered the game-winner with two outs, driving a shot to left field that would have gone for extra bases.
It was a key conference victory for UNLV, who had a chance to seal the victory in the seventh. Playing with a 3-2 lead, UNM took advantage of the Rebels' own fielding mistakes, getting a leadoff runner aboard via an error. A sacrifice bunt moved Tiffany Bradley into scoring position, and two singles later, Bradley scored the tying run.
Kerrigan, who threw all 10 innings, picked up her 13th victory of the season and struck out six. Amy Dumas took the loss for the Lobos, falling to 10-10 on the year
In the nightcap, the Rebels looked to Kerrigan once again, and got locked down in a pitchers' duel until the fourth inning.
New Mexico starter Iraina Ogas marched through the Rebel lineup in the first three innings, allowing not a single runner to reach base. Kerrigan was nearly as effective, giving up just one hit to the first 11 batters she faced and not allowing a run.
However, UNM's Ashley Van Boxmeer led of the fourth inning by driving the first pitch she saw over the centerfield fence to break up the shutout and put the Lobos on top 1-0.
The Rebels were still in the game, but ran into some trouble in the fifth. After a leadoff single by Kim Korsak, UNM took a little help from the setting sun. On consecutive plays, the Rebels were unable to turn sacrifice bunts into outs as the throw from the catcher to first base was lost in the sun, allowing runners to reach and advance. All in all, New Mexico tacked on four runs in the inning, three of which were unearned, and sent Kerrigan to the bench after 14 innings of work on the day.
Ogas, who was in command of the Rebel lineup through five innings, lost a no-hit bid when Joanna Jackson singled to the left side early in the sixth. Jackson came around to score with the help of a Lisa Moses single and a bases-loaded walk by Glenn, but three runners were stranded in the inning as UNLV got just one run.
The Rebels hit the road next week for the first time this season, heading to Utah for a pair of conference doubleheaders. UNLV will square off with BYU on Thursday, April 3 before facing Utah on Saturday, April 5.
