University of Nevada Las Vegas
Jacksonville
3/13/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 13, 2004
LAS VEGAS - Kacey Ellis pitched a six-hitter and the UNLV softball team pounded out 12 hits in a 8-1 victory over Jacksonville at Eller Media Stadium on Saturday.
For the second straight game, the Rebels (15-14) scored the leadoff hitter. Bridget Byrne singled to left and moved into second when the leftfielder misplayed the ball. Byrne then raced home on a Brittany Freight single to give the Rebels a lead.
UNLV stretched its lead to 2-0 in the third. Freight hit a one-out double that just missed clearing the outfield fence. Morgan Bostwick then singled the speedy Freight home.
The Rebels' big inning came in the fifth. Byrne started the inning with a triple to the gap in right center, her eighth hit of the tournament. Freight then singled to center for her third hit and second RBI of the game. Freight then manufactured a run of her own, stealing second base, taking third on a wild throw from the catcher and moving home on an errant putout attempt at third.
The inning continued as Lisa Sampson singled up the middle and Ellis walked. Sampson came around to score on a Pauline Glenn single, and Ellis scored on a hit by Wendy Godwin to cap the four-run fifth.
Ellis cruised in the circle with the lead, scattering just three hits over the first five innings and not allowing any runner past second base.
UNLV tacked on two more runs in the sixth. Byrne singled and scored on a Sampson double. Sampson then scored on an Ellis single to put the Rebs up 8-0.
Before the Rebels could complete the mercy-rule victory, Jacksonville caught up with Ellis. Sonja Cadarette hit a leadoff single, followed by a walk from Lauren Redfern. Ellis tossed a strikeout and forced the next hitter into a groundout that advanced both runners. She then walked Janine Palumbo to load the bases before Ashley Houston singled to right to break up the shutout.
That was all the Dolphins could manage, however, as Ellis finished them in the seventh to record the complete game and the victory.
With a 3-1 record in the tournament, the Rebels have a chance to win the tourney title. They face Long Island for the second time on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. PST.
