May 2, 2003
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The UNLV softball team dropped two one-run games to New Mexico on Friday, losing 3-2 and 1-0 at Lobo Field.
The Rebels (20-35, 4-12 MWC) fought to a scoreless tie through five innings in the opener before the Lobos (23-34-1, 6-12 MWC) broke up the monotony in the bottom of the sixth. Kelly Glass led off the inning with a single to center and advanced to second on a ground out.
Things then turned a bit wild for Rebel starting pitcher Jacqueline Kerrigan. She hit the next batter and issued a walk to cleanup hitter Iraina Ogas to load the bases with a single out. She then missed on a 3-1 pitch to Ashley Shartzer, allowing the game's first run to come home.
The second out was picked up on a fielder's choice at the plate, but the bases remained loaded. Then UNM's Kim Korsak delivered the key hit of the game, a flare to center that scored two runs.
UNLV made it interesting in the top of the seventh. Bridget Byrne started the rally with a one-out single to left and took second on Amber Campbell's infield ground out. Then Morgan Bostwick collected her third hit of the day, a double that just missed clearing the left field fence, scoring Byrne easily from second. Lisa Moses followed with the third hit of the inning to set runners at the corners for Kacey Ellis.
Ellis drew a walk to load the bases and keep the two-out rally alive. New Mexico then changed pitchers, turning to Ogas to relieve starter Amy Dumas. Ogas got Wendy Godwin to hit a ground ball to short that should have ended that game, but Lobo shortstop Ashley Vanboxmeer couldn't handle the ball. Godwin cruised into first safely and Bostwick scored the second run.
However, Moses also tried to sneak home on the play, and Vanboxmeer regained control of the ball in time to make a play at the plate. Moses was nabbed, and the game ended, 3-2.
In the nightcap, Kerrigan once again got the starting nod. UNM had success against her in just one inning in the game - the first.
Glass kicked things off with an infield single and stole second to get into scoring position. Vanboxmeer then lifted a double into center to score Glass for the game's only run.
Kerrigan hit a groove down the stretch, retiring 17 of the next 19 batters and allowing just a pair of singles. But the damage was done as the Rebels were unable to cross the plate themselves.
The Rebels did manage five hits in the game, three courtesy of Bostwick. Bostwick was an incredible 6-for-6 on the day with an RBI double and a sacrifice bunt.
Her sixth hit of the day was a single down the left field line to begin the top of the seventh. She moved to second on a sac bunt by Moses, but could get no further as Lobo pitcher Ashley Shartzer recorded the final two outs for the victory.
With the losses, UNLV falls behind New Mexico in the Mountain West Conference standings. The Rebels are currently in sixth place, but could move up to fifth before the week if over. All six teams in the league have two games left on the schedule.
The Rebels will take their next stab on Sunday, May 4, when they tangle with Colorado State in Fort Collins, Colo., at 1:00 p.m.
