Feb. 6, 2004

Box Score

TUCSON, Ariz. - Sophomore catcher Carly Petracco's bases-loaded single in the bottom of the eighth drove in the winning run to give the UNLV softball team its first victory of the season, a 3-2 decision over New Mexico at Hillenbrand Stadium on Friday.

Petracco's game-winner was redemption for a key mistake made earlier in the game. With the Rebels leading 1-0 and just one out away from a regulation victory, Petracco let a Jacque Kerrigan pitch get away from her. Although it was her first passed ball in 14 innings of work on Friday, it allowed the Lobos' tying run to score.

The Rebels (1-1) also had a second chance to end the game in regulation. After Kacey Ellis drew a one-out walk, Petracco ripped her first base hit of the year to give the Rebels a pair of base runners. However, Iraina Ogas (0-1) pitched her way out of the jam, striking out Joanna Jackson and forcing Lisa Sampson into a groundout.

With momentum on its side, New Mexico (0-1) took advantage. Leadoff hitter Ryanne Hodgins reached on a Pauline Glenn fielding error and took second on a one-out sacrifice. Ogas then, hitting in the cleanup spot, hammered a double to left center, easily scoring Hodgins and giving the Lobos their first lead of the day.

Now facing defeat after an almost certain victory, UNLV began the bottom of the eighth at the top of its order. Senior left fielder Bridget Byrne slapped a pitch hard into the dirt, causing it to bounce high up over the head of the Lobos' shortstop. By the time the ball fell, Byrne stood safely aboard first.

Morgan Bostwick executed a flawless bunt to put Byrne in scoring position. Still battling the Lobos' starter Ogas, Amber Campbell popped up to short and the Rebels were down to their last out.

Kerrigan (1-0), who had thrown 144 pitches and fanned 11 while working from the circle, was now called upon for some offense. She lifted a Texas Leaguer over second base that none of the fielders could close on quickly enough, and Byrne motored home to tie the game for the second time.

Glenn came to the plate next for the Rebels, and was hit by a pitch to put two aboard. Ellis followed and patiently waited for the right pitch before driving a 3-1 delivery into shallow right field. Kerrigan sped around third and with an expected throw home from right-fielder Hodgins, an exciting play at the plate seemed imminent. But Kerrigan hit the brakes about halfway down the baseline and returned to third.

Still with two out, the bases were now loaded and the heroics were left up to Petracco. She also was patient at the plate and waited for the tiring Ogas to serve a soft 2-1 pitch. Petracco connected solidly with the pitch, sending it into right center as all of the runners advanced a base and Kerrigan scored the winning run.

The finish marked the second straight late-inning loss for the Lobos to UNLV. The Rebels ousted the Lobos from last year's Mountain West Conference Tournament with a seventh-inning Glenn homer. Friday's game was the season opener for UNM.

The game also marked the first coaching victory in the career of new Rebel skipper Lonni Alameda.

Aside from Petracco's 2-for-4 performance and big RBI, UNLV also received solid offense from Ellis, who went 2-for-2 and walked twice, and Byrne, who went 2-for-3 and began the Rebels' final rally.

UNLV wrapped up the first day of play at the Pepsi Arizona Tournament with a 1-1 mark. It faces Mississippi at 8:00 a.m. PST on Saturday, Feb. 7, before matching up with host Arizona, currently ranked No. 2 nationally, at 4 p.m.