Feb. 10, 2006

Final Stats

LAS VEGAS - The UNLV Rebels (3-0) won in dramatic fashion for the second-straight game with a walk-off grand slam coming off the bat of Rosa Ordaz. Illinois-Chicago (0-1) gave Ordaz a second chance on the at bat as first baseman Brittany McIntyre dropped a routine foul ball with one out and the bases loaded. Ordaz deposited Kelly Cross' next pitch over the center field fence for a 10-7 final score.

The Rebels have now won three-straight to open the 2006 campaign. This is the first time UNLV has begun a season with a 3-0 record since the 1995 season. Only 1991's 5-0 start ranks as the best start in school history.

The runs were a plenty as UNLV scored three in the first and third innings and four in the seventh, while UIC put two up in the first, second and seventh innings and a single run in the sixth. The Flames out hit the Rebels 10-to-9 and each team registered three errors in the game.

After falling behind 2-0 on a four-hit first inning by UIC, UNLV notched three runs on four hits. Marissa Nichols opened up the UNLV offense with a single up the middle. After Nichols stole second, Brittany Bolinger walked. Maggie Livreri plated Nichols with a single to right center. Ordaz moved Bolinger and Livreri into scoring position with a groundout. Kendall Fearn brought the two runners home with a single to center, but was thrown out attempting to advance to second.

UIC took the lead back in the second on a two-run home run off the bat of Joyce Cathey. It was the first of two home runs hit by Cathey as she hit number two in sixth to bring the Flames within one of UNLV's 6-5 lead.

In the third, Livreri singled to center with one out to start the three-run inning. She went to third on an error as the UIC centerfielder dove and let the ball roll back to the fence. Ordaz picked up her first RBI of the game with a sacrifice fly to left. Caitlyn Paus followed Ordaz with a walk and scored on the first career home run by Fearn.

Following Cathey's home run in the sixth, the Flames took a two-run lead in the top of the seventh. Kelly Griego was in-line for the loss as she gave up all three runs. UIC scored both seventh inning runs off of two singles and an error. After UIC recorded both hits and had runners at first and second, Christie Robinson (1-0) entered and got two quick outs, but the tying run scored on the second out. With a runner on a third the apparent third out was on the ground to Paus at short, but the ball ricocheted through her legs and allowed the go-ahead run to score.

In the seventh, Nichols began the rally with a one-out walk. Bolinger dropped down a bunt single to put runners at first and second. Both runners moved into scoring position on a double steal. Livreri walked to load the bases and then Ordaz came up to put the final touches on her five-RBI night.

UNLV returns to action Saturday night with a 6:00pm game versus #12/13 Oklahoma. Day three of the Alexis Resort Kick-Off Classic begins at 9:00am with Kentucky vs. Illinois-Chicago.