Feb. 22, 2007

Final Stats

Cathedral City, Calif. - The UNLV softball team (10-3) needed one extra-inning of work to defeat the Virginia Cavaliers (Wahoos), 7-6, in the Palm Springs Classic held at Big League Dreams Sports Park in Cathedral City, Calif. The Rebels had to rally from a four-run deficit in the fifth and then watch as the Cavaliers evened the score at 6-6 in the top of the seventh. The Rebels loaded the bases in the eighth and brought in the winning run on a single to left by Kendall Fearn.

Fearn and Bri Bernardi were the offensive threats for UNLV in the contest. Fearn went 3-for-5 and collected all four of UNLV's RBI. Bernardi tallied three hits, as well.

The game started out as a pitcher's duel through the first four innings, as both teams only registered a total of three hits and no runs. UVa's Karla Wilburn (3-4) surrendered two of those three hits to UNLV batters.

The game became offensive in the fifth inning with the teams combining for nine runs on nine hits. Virginia began the inning with a lead-off home run. Heather Slettvet retired the next two batters before giving up another solo blast. UVa wasn't done with their scoring as they tallied a single and then hit a two-run shot to push its lead to 4-0. The four-run lead was enough to knock Slettvet from the game and bring in Christie Robinson.

Trailing for the first time in the game, UNLV came out swinging with five runs on five hits. With runners at first and second following a single by Sandy Nakamura and a walk issued to Jaci Hull, Kelli Fangonilo knocked a single to left to get the runners moving. Fangonilo's hit was misplayed by the UVa leftfielder and rolled to the wall. Nakamura and Hull scored on the error, while Fangonilo wound up on third. The two runs scored by UNLV prompted Virginia to put in a relief pitcher. The Rebels didn't treat Coty Tolar any better than Wilburn, as Brittany Bolinger reached on a bunt-single and took second when no one was covering. Fearn evened the score at 4-4 with a single to center to bring home Fangonilo and Bolinger. Jenn Newman, who entered the game as a pinch-runner for Fearn, gave the Rebels their first lead on a wild pitch.

UNLV added a would-be insurance run in the sixth on another RBI-single by Fearn. She came up to the plate with Fangonilo sitting on second.

In the seventh, Virginia was down to its final out and proceeded to get a single and its fourth home run of the game to tie the score at 6-6.

The Rebels failed to score in the bottom of the seventh and forced the game into extras.

In extra innings the international tie-breaker is put into effect and a runner is placed at second base. Stephanie Bregante was summoned from the bullpen by UNLV and struck out all three Cavalier batters.

UNLV placed Stacey Burgos on second and then watched as Fangonilo was hit by a pitch and Bolinger was intentionally walked. Fearn came up big, once again, for UNLV as she delivered the game-winning hit to left. The ball wound up bouncing over the left field fence, but goes down in the books as a single.

Bregante (3-1) earned the win for UNLV in one inning of work.

Wilburn, who re-entered the contest in the bottom of the seventh, suffered the loss and falls to 3-4 on the year.

The Rebels dedicated the game to the memory of fellow UNLV student-athlete Robert Travers, Jr., who passed away Wednesday. During the game, the team wore white ribbons around their wrists with personal messages inscribed on them.

UNLV returns to Palm Springs Classic action with two games on Friday. The Rebels open the day's schedule with a 10:30 am, affair with Penn State and then take on Cal Poly at 1:00 pm. For full tournament information and results, check out the Oregon State softball page at OSUBeavers.com.