Feb. 29, 2004

Box Score

LAS VEGAS - Despite posting an eight-run win over Simon Fraser on Saturday, the UNLV softball team was stopped by the Clan in Sunday's rematch, 4-2 at Eller Media Stadium.

The Clan (5-1) scored three runs early and never surrendered their lead en route to winning the Rebel Spring Tournament.

Facing Rebel starter Kacey Ellis (1-2), Simon Fraser put its first runs on the board in the second inning behind a two-run home run to dead center by designated player Jenny Simpson.

SFU tacked on another run in the third, driving in an unearned run on a hard-hit double by Erin Thomas.

Down 3-0, UNLV (7-10) turned to the bullpen and brought in Jacqueline Kerrigan in relief. Kerrigan escaped the inning, forcing the Clan to leave a pair stranded.

The Rebels struggled on the offensive side with just two hits through three innings off Thomas (4-1), the SFU starter. But in the fourth inning, they had a good opportunity after a leadoff single by Ellis. Ellis moved to second and advanced as far as third on a Morgan Bostwick drive up the middle. But with two outs, Pauline Glenn popped up to end the inning, and UNLV remained scoreless.

SFU upped its edge to 4-0 in the fifth, taking advantage of two singles and a hit batsman.

UNLV finally broke into the scoring column in the sixth when Lisa Sampson turned a leadoff walk into a run. But that was all UNLV could manage in the inning, leaving a pair of runners in scoring position.

In its final chance, UNLV started what looked to be a two-out rally. Brittany Freight singled, followed by Sampson and Ellis. The hit by Ellis, her fourth of the game, drove home Freight and cut the Rebels' deficit to 4-2. Kerrigan stepped to the plate representing the winning run, but grounded out to end the game.

UNLV collected eight hits in the game, four from Ellis. SFU matched the eight hits, including two doubles from Thomas and the difference maker, the second-inning homer by Simpson.