April 16, 2003
LAS VEGAS - The UNLV softball team dropped both games of its non-conference doubleheader against UC Riverside on Wednesday, falling 4-3 in eight innings in the opener and 3-1 in the nightcap.
Despite shutting out UCR (9-31) twice just six days ago, the Rebels (18-29) gave up a leadoff run in the opener. However, UNLV scored a leadoff run of its own to offset the Highlander lead as Bridget Byrne led off with a double down the left field line and came around to score on a sac bunt by Morgan Bostwick and sac fly by Lisa Moses.
A persistent UCR team reclaimed the lead again in the second inning after Andrea Cunningham hit a one-out double and came around to score on a Rebel fielding error.
UNLV took its first and only lead of the game with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second. Pauline Glenn led off with a walk and beat the Highlanders' put out attempt at second on Kacey Ellis' sac bunt. A fielding error then let Glenn come around to tie the game for the second time. Carly Petracco then smacked a long fly ball to left, deep enough to let Ellis score on the Rebs' second sac fly.
Ellis, who started just her eighth game of the year in the circle, held UCR quiet until the fourth. Cunningham scored for the second time in the game, this time on an RBI single by Jeannie Robison.
The game remained knotted at three until the eighth inning. UCR hit back-to-back singles to begin the inning, and Melissa Sanchez came around to score on UNLV's second fielding error of the game.
The Rebels were unable to improve in the bottom of the inning, going down in order to give UCR the 4-3 win.
UNLV looked to freshman lefty Becky McDonald in the nightcap. McDonald threw a two-hit shutout against the Highlanders last week and looked as if she may cruise after Glenn hit a solo shot off the scoreboard, her fifth of the year.
The Rebels carries their 1-0 lead into the fourth. Sanchez ripped a shot to left, the first hit allowed by McDonald. Karli Burneleit followed with another single, and both runners advanced to scoring position on a throw home. Cunningham then filled the hero's role a third time, singling to center to score both runs.
UCR tacked on an insurance run in the sixth when Burneleit also hit a solo shot to left.
Wednesday's games marked the beginning of an eight-game home stand for the Rebels, who will continue Mountain West Conference play this weekend against Utah and BYU. They host Utah at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, April 18, before facing BYU in a 12 noon doubleheader on Saturday, April 19.
