March 29, 2004
If the UNLV softball team fails to win the Mountain West Conference championship this year, no one will blame Jacque Kerrigan or Kacey Ellis.
Kerrigan and Ellis have seen their share of time in the pitcher's circle this year, and for good reason -- there are only three pitchers listed on the Rebels' roster.
Sophomore Becky McDonald has helped out by pitching a few innings, but Kerrigan and Ellis have been the staff workhorses. In 148 innings, Kerrigan has compiled a 13-10 record with a 1.32 ERA as a starter. Ellis has gone 2-3 with a 2.24 ERA in 40 2/3 relief innings.
Complicating the situation is the fact that UNLV has struggled at the plate. The team is hitting just .261 and often has not produced more than two or three runs in a game. That has left Kerrigan with little room for error.
"That doesn't bother me at all," said the junior right-hander, who added that she enjoys all the playing time. "Of course, it's a little more relaxing when you have some runs on the board."
Ellis, a senior right-hander, said she likes the idea of knowing she's the go-to player when relief is needed.
"It's really not that much pressure," she said. "I think it puts more pressure on our hitters than it does on me."
That pressure may be paying off. The Rebels (16-14), who have won six of their last seven games, went 4-1 over the weekend to win the UNLV Tournament at Eller Media Stadium. In doing so, the offense showed signs of life by scoring 27 runs in five games.
Ellis said she knew the team's bats eventually would come around.
"A lot of us have changed our batting styles," said Ellis, who noted that the team's new coaching staff has worked extensively with the offense. "It will just take some time to get comfortable with our new swings."
Although first-year coach Lonni Alameda acknowledged her pitching staff is thin, she said there is no lack of talent.
"We have three good pitchers and they all have something different to bring to the circle," she said. "Jacque is more of a strikeout kid. She overpowers people. Kacey gets a lot of ground balls and she gets us out of innings, and Becky is a lefty, so the three are a nice mix."
While injuries are always a concern for players putting in so many innings, Ellis said the team could survive a few games without Kerrigan.
"If Jacque got hurt, I'd feel confident with my pitching," Ellis said. "I think I could get the job done just fine."
Alameda said she has considered the possibility of a two-pitcher staff, but she is doing everything possible to avoid such a problem.
"It would be really easy to ride Kerrigan and let her win a lot of games," Alameda said. "But out goal is to win the MWC championship, so when she gets tired, Kacey steps in and does a great job."
McDonald (1-1), who got a 10-3 win over Southern Utah on Friday, eventually will figure more heavily into the rotation. Also, Centennial High School star Shannon Crisp and Marissa Nichols (Diamond Bar, Calif.) will enter as freshmen next year and should make an immediate impact.
Although Ellis will be gone, Kerrigan expects the newcomers to supply some relief.
"I don't think there will be nearly as much demand next year," said Kerrigan, who closed the weekend with her sixth shutout of the year, a 2-0 victory over Long Island.
