March 2, 2006
LAS VEGAS - The UNLV Rebel softball team (9-8) notched its ninth straight win over in-state rival Nevada, Reno (7-9) on Thursday night in a tight 2-1 contest. The win gives the Rebels 11 wins in 12 tries against the Wolf Pack, since 1985. The game was the first for the UNLV Invitational being held at Eller Media Stadium.
UNR got on the board first with an unearned run in the opening frame. Kymberly Silagyi opened the game with a walk and eventually scored on a two-out single by Candice Rainwater through the right side. Silagyi moved into scoring position, following the walk, on an error by Maggie Livreri at short. With two runners on, Christie Robinson got the next two hitters out on a strikeout and a fielder's choice. The fielder's choice moved Silagyi to third.
The Rebels evened the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the second. Shannon Crisp, who had just previously taken over pitching duties from Robinson, singled up the middle. Caitlyn Paus singled to the hole at short and moved Crisp to third. Kendall Fearn loaded the bases on a walk issued by Jordan McPherson (4-4). With one out, Lauren von Holst came to the plate in a pinch-hitting role and hit a fielder's choice groundball to the first baseman. The batted ball was thrown to the plate to get Crisp for the second out, but the throw down to first was late at getting von Holst at first. Paus came around to score when the ball was thrown to first.
UNLV scored the eventual winning run in the fifth. Brittany Bolinger got the inning started with bunt single back to the pitcher. Bolinger stole second on strike-three thrown to Marissa Nichols. With two out, Livreri hit a fly to left which Brittany Puzey misplayed and let fall off of her glove. Bolinger came around to score on the error.
Besides going 3-for-3 at the plate (all singles), Crisp (5-3) picked up the win in her 6.0 innings of relief. She allowed only three hits to the Wolf Pack hitters, while striking out five and walking one.
McPherson took the loss in her complete game effort. She struck out 10, but allowed six hits and two walks.
The Rebels return to UNLV Invitational play at 6 pm Friday night with a contest against Portland State. Play begins at the stadium at 9 am with Virginia Tech against Portland State.
