Feb. 13, 2005

Final Stats

LAS VEGAS - UNLV (5-4) and Central Florida (6-5) closed out the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic with an emphasis on slugging. The two squads combined for four home runs, one a grand slam in the fourth inning by UCF that resulted in the game-winning run. There were 15 total hits in the game, with UNLV taking the edge eight to seven.

The Golden Knights jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on a two-out solo home run off Rebel starter Becky McDonald (0-1). UCF's Stephanie Best pulled the ball down the left field line and cleared the fence for the score.

Two errors by UCF's shortstop allowed Brittany Meade to come around and score after reaching on a fielder's choice and an error. A second error by the shortstop allowed Meade to score and tie the game.

Marissa Nichols hit her first home run of her career when she took one to left center to put the Rebels up by one in the third.

For the second time this season the top of the fourth inning has come back to haunt UNLV. In the season opener against Marshall, the Herd hit a grand slame home run, as well as adding a fifth run. Tonight, the jinx returned as UCF was able to crank a grand slam down the left field line and re-take the lead at 6-2.

The Rebels fought back with a Shannon Crisp home run, the second of her career, that cleared both fences in center field. Maggie Livreri, Brittany Meade and Morgan Bostwick picked up doubles and helped the Rebels score two more runs, but that would be it for the game.

Next up for the Rebels is the UNLV Invitational (Feb. 10-13). Joining the Rebels in the six team tournament are: Iowa State, Florida, Southern Illinois, California and Michigan State.