Jan. 29, 2005
Las Vegas - In rainy conditions the 2005 Rebels outlasted the alumni, 4-3, in the annual Alumni Game at Eller Media Stadium. The game was knotted at three after four innings, but the current squad was able to put the go ahead run on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth to take the game.
The Rebels broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the fifth on Amber Campbell's sacrifice bunt attempt to the left side of the infield. Campbell reached first base safely, but rounded first base towards second and was caught in a rundown. Former Rebel Sheree Corniel tossed an errant throw towards first base and allowed Morgan Bostwick to score from third base after advancing on the bunt. Bostwick led off the inning with a double to the left field fence.
Earning the win for the Rebels was junior Becky McDonald. Senior Jacque Kerrigan threw for the Alumni and was credited with the loss. McDonald gave up nine hits to the Alumni, while striking out four. The Rebels were only able to get six hits off of Kerrigan, as she sent eight back to the bench on strikes.
The Alumni jumped on the board early with a run in the first when Arica Painter's double scored Julie Crandall. The Rebels were able to counter with two runs of their own in the bottom of the inning as Kerrigan got off to a rough start. Kerrigan hit leadoff hitter Marissa Nichols and walked Brittany Freight, as well as two more in the inning. Nichols and Freight eventually scored after advancing bases on two passed balls thrown to Shannon Crisp.
The Rebels added to their lead in the third on a sacrifice bunt by Nichols. Freight scored her second run of the game on the sacrifice after leading off the inning with a single. Freight moved to third on an error by Kerrigan and a passed ball.
In the top of the fourth the Alumni sent eight batters to the plate and scored two runs to tie the game at three. Bridget Byrne led off the inning with a single. Corniel knocked Byrne home on a triple to the fence in deep center. Kim Anthony's RBI single scored Corniel to tie the game.
UNLV opens its 2005 season on Friday, Feb. 4, in the Alexis Resort Kickoff Classic at Eller Media Stadium. The Rebels will play in back-to-back games against Marshall (3:45 p.m.) and Utah State (6 p.m.). The tournament runs from Feb. 4-6, and the first pitch is scheduled for 9 a.m., each day. Rounding out the six-team tournament are Indiana, UTEP and Cal State Northridge.
