April 9, 2004
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
LAS VEGAS - The UNLV softball team swept both ends of its Mountain West Conference doubleheader against New Mexico on Friday, winning 7-0 and 4-3 at Eller Media Stadium.
The Rebels (21-23, 4-2) cruised to an easy win in the opener behind a five-hit shutout by Jacqueline Kerrigan (17-14, 3-0). The Rebels' ace remains unscathed in league play, winning her third straight decision over the Lobos (26-20, 0-2).
UNLV took an early lead in the game on a two-run blast to left center by Kacey Ellis in the first inning. It was Ellis' first homer of the year and third of the senior's career.
The Rebels then stretched that lead to 5-0 in the fourth inning. Back-to-back singles by Brittney Hillyer and Amber Campbell began the inning, and a Bridget Byrne walk loaded the bases. Two batters later, Lisa Sampson found the gap in left center as two runs came in to score.
That forced the Lobos to remove starter Ashley Perkins (12-6, 0-1) for Iraina Ogas. But the Rebels continued to shine in the inning. Ellis dropped a perfect squeeze bunt to add another run. She moved to third on a Morgan Bostwick double and scored on a passed ball, capping a four-run inning.
The nightcap was a bit tighter as the visitors jumped out to the quick lead. A first-inning fielding error proved costly as Ogas belted a two-out double that scored an unearned run and gave the Lobos their first run and lead of the day.
Ellis, who earned the start in the late game, worked through an easy second, but struggled a bit in the third. With one out, UNM doubled, walked and singled to load the bases and present a serious threat. Rebel head coach Lonni Alameda looked to lefty Becky McDonald (2-3, 1-1) in relief. The Rebels turned a lucky out, catching one runner trying to advance home on a passed ball, before McDonald fanned Ogas to end the inning.
Meanwhile, the Rebels offense was stagnant, collecting just two singles through their first 12 trips to the plate.
Leading 1-0, New Mexico went back to work in the top of the fourth. Ora Hensley led the inning with a single. Ashley Shartzer then followed with a double. Hensley would have held at third, but a errant throw from the relay allowed her to bring the second run home and Shartzer to advance to third. Shartzer quickly scored on a passed ball, putting UNM up 3-0.
UNLV finally broke into the scoring column in the bottom of the fourth, and exploded to do so. It managed to load the bases on two walks and a hit for Pauline Glenn. Glenn pushed the ball through the right side and all the runners advanced 60 feet, scoring the first run. Brittany Freight then dug in with the bases still loaded and hit a sharp ball to left field, scoring two runners and tying the game at three.
It was the Lobos turn to go to the bullpen, bringing in Ogas to pitch for starter Amy Dumas (7-11, 0-1). But the Rebels weren't out of hits as Byrne pulled an infield single to the right side, scoring Glenn with the go-ahead run.
Four runs was all UNLV would get in the inning, but it proved to be all they would need. McDonald worked swiftly through the fifth and into the sixth, retiring six straight at one point. After the Lobos collected a one-out single and UNLV committed its third error of the game, Kerrigan came in to try to seal the victory for McDonald. The Rebels' ace was flawless, sitting all five of the batters she faced for her first save of the year.
With the sweep, the Rebels maintain pace with San Diego State atop the MWC standings. The Aztecs are also 4-2 in league play after sweeping Colorado State on Friday.
The Rebels look to continue their wining streak on Sunday, April 11, when they host CSU in a 12 noon doubleheader at Eller Media Stadium.
