April 11, 2004
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
LAS VEGAS - The UNLV softball team dropped both ends of its Mountain West Conference doubleheader against Colorado State on Sunday, falling 5-1 and 7-3 at Eller Media Stadium. The losses knock the Rebels out of the top spot in the league standings.
The Rebels (21-25, 4-4) scored first in the opening game, but couldn't make the run stand up as CSU tagged starter Jacqueline Kerrigan (17-15) for four runs in the fifth inning and snapping her three-game winning streak. Meanwhile, the offense was clamped to just three hits and an unearned run by the Ram pitching combo of Jessica Strickland (9-3) and Megan Masser.
Two of those hits came from second baseman Morgan Bostwick, who also drew a walk to reach three times in the game. But she was stranded each time with no hits coming from the bottom of the lineup. Included in that group was senior Wendy Godwin, who lost a 10-game hitting streak despite drawing a walk and dropping a sac bunt.
Amber Campbell scored the lone UNLV run in the third inning on a throwing error by CSU shortstop Brittany Burtner.
The lead last only an inning and a half as the Rams (26-11, 2-2) finally figured out Kerrigan in the fifth. Five straight hits swallowing an intentional walk fueled the rally, capped by a two-RBI double by Kerry Farrell.
Strickland allowed just one hit through four innings before giving way to Masser, who completed her second save of the year.
The Rebels managed six hits in the nightcap, but were outslugged as the Rams pounded out 13 hits and two home runs.
CSU drew the first blood in Game 2 when Ricki Walker homered to left for two runs off UNLV starter Becky McDonald.
Two innings later, Walker hit the Rams' third single of the inning to drive the third run before Kacey Ellis (2-7) came in to relieve McDonald.
The 3-0 count stood until the bottom of the fourth when the Rebels began to catch up with CSU starter Genevieve Kelly. Lisa Sampson hit a leadoff single to right, followed by a double through a big gap in right center by Ellis that scored Sampson from first. Kelly recovered, striking out Bostwick, but then served up a pitch that let the Rebels back in the game. Wendy Godwin smashed a high fastball into the Eller Media Stadium scoreboard, scoring two runs and knotting the game at three.
Kelly was pulled in favor of Strickland, who threw just four innings in the opener. In the same inning, Strickland allowed two quick singles as the Rebels threatened to take the lead. But she struck out Bridget Byrne to quell the threat and end the inning.
CSU answered immediately in the fifth. Stephanie Roberts drew a leadoff walk, and Walker singled to put two aboard for Brittany Huerta. Huerta hit a long ball to left as impressive as Godwin's, but to the left of the scoreboard. It was good for three runs and gave CSU a lead it would never surrender.
Done at home in the month of April, the Rebels will hit the road next week for a three-game swing through southern California. UNLV will face UC Riverside on Thursday, April 15, before continuing on to a doubleheader at San Diego State on Friday, April 16.
