Feb. 8, 2004

Box Score

TUCSON, Ariz. - The UNLV softball team surrendered two early unearned runs and never recovered, falling to Cal State Northridge 3-1 in the consolation game of the Pepsi Arizona Tournament at Hillenbrand Stadium on Sunday.

After going down in order in the top of the first, UNLV (2-3) looked as it would answer in similar fashion on defense. Starter Jacqueline Kerrigan struck out CSUN leadoff hitter Laura Hovestreydt, but the third strike got away from catcher Britney Hillyer, and Hovestreydt moved to first on the passed ball.

Kerrigan then walked Emilee Moores and hit Christen Bedwell with a pitch, and suddenly the Matadors (3-2) had the bases loaded and nobody out without getting a hit.

A sac fly scored Hovestreydt, and Kerrigan struck out the next batter to put two away. CSUN pitcher Kia Fennell then delivered the game's first hit, a single up the middle. The hit scored Moores, but was not deep enough to allow Bedwell to score from third. Rebel shortstop Amber Campbell threw a perfect strike to nab Bedwell at home and end the inning.

Although both runs were unearned, they gave CSUN just enough of an edge. Fennell went to work from the circle, keeping the Rebels hitless through three innings.

Bridget Byrne got the offense started in the top of the fourth, ripping a ball down the first base line for a leadoff double. She moved to third on a long fly ball to left by Campbell, and came home to score when Joanna Jackson smacked UNLV's second hit of the inning, a single to left.

Those two hits were enough to force the Matadors to look to the bullpen. Jenny Wheeler, who earned the win over the Rebels in Friday's game between both teams, stepped in to relieve Fennell and retired Morgan Bostwick to end the inning.

Wheeler (2-1) gave up just three hits over the last three and one-third innings to earn the victory while Kerrigan (2-2) suffered her second straight loss despite striking out eight. Kerrigan did allow seven hits, but only one of the Matadors' three runs was earned.

UNLV collected five hits in the game, including a fifth-inning single from Kacey Ellis to stretch her hitting streak to four games.

With the first weekend of play complete, the Rebels return home to host the UNLV Softball Classic, a 15-team tournament played Friday, Feb. 13 through Sunday, Feb. 15 at both Eller Media Stadium and Stephanie Lynn Craig Park. UNLV faces Hawaii at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, followed by No. 3 California.