March 19, 2004

Box Score

FULLERTON, Calif. - The UNLV softball team lost to No. 1 Arizona for the second time this season, falling 10-0 in the first round of bracket play at the Kia Classic on Friday.

The top-ranked Wildcats (32-0) did most of their damage in one inning, stringing together a nine-run third to cement the school's record for consecutive victories to open a season. Six hits and four walks fueled the inning, complemented by a pair of stolen bases, two passed balls, a wild pitch and a fielding error. Arizona sent 14 batters to the plate in the inning.

Aside from the third, UNLV (16-18) got a good performance out of starter Kacey Ellis. Ellis surrendered nine hits and issued three walks in three innings of work.

Offensively, the Rebels collected four hits in the game. Brittany Freight dropped a bunt single in the first and moved all the way to third on a Lisa Sampson hit that went over the head of the Wildcats' left fielder. However, Freight overslid the base and was tagged out, killing the Rebels' best scoring chance.

Ellis was the only other player to hit Arizona starter Wendy Allen (7-0), who fanned seven. Leslie Wolfe pitched in relief, striking out two and giving up a hit to Rebel catcher Carly Petracco.

The game was the second of four scheduled between UNLV and Arizona. The Rebels head to Tucson, Ariz., next weekend to meet the 'Cats in a doubleheader on Sunday, March 27.

As for the Kia, the Rebels advance to consolation bracket play where they will meet the loser between No. 10 Louisiana-Lafayette and Princeton at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. That game will be followed by a matchup against either No. 20 Nebraska or No. 7 Oklahoma.