Feb. 8, 2007
Box Score
LAS VEGAS - The UNLV softball team (1-0) opened up its season in the Alexis Resort Kick-Off Classic slowly, but came up big when it counted. The Rebels trailed the Tulsa Golden Hurricane (0-1) throughout most of the contest, but plated three runs in the sixth and held on for a 3-2 win.
Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the sixth, Kendall Fearn put UNLV on the board with a home run to deep center off of Tulsa starter Julie Fennell (0-1). Rosa Ordaz kept the offensive going with a walk. Alyssia De La Torre entered the contest as a pinch-runner for Ordaz and took second on a sacrifice bunt by Caitlyn Paus. Laura Briones put runners at first and second with a walk. Kelli Fangonilo knotted the game with an RBI-single through the left side to score De La Torre in a close play at home. The throw home snuck past Tulsa's Ashlee Lubnieski and allowed Briones to score the go-ahead run.
Those three runs were all that were needed to give Heather Slettvet (1-0) her first win as a Rebel. The JC-transfer tossed 6.1 innings, allowed four hits and an earned run in the victory. Slettvet gave way to Christie Robinson to close out the contest after Tulsa put a runner on second with one out. Robinson promptly came in and struck out the two batters she faced for a quick save.
Tulsa jumped out early with a 1-0 lead after two errors by Paus in the first inning. After the first out was recorded, Stephanie Chomicki walked, stole second and came home on a fielding error by Paus at second.
The Golden Hurricane pushed its lead to 2-0 in the top of the sixth. Tulsa had runners in scoring position and got a ground out by Angela Osbon to score Kelli McGlasson from third. Lindsey Tower attempted to come home as she was caught off of third base, but eventually was tagged out in a rundown to end the inning.
UNLV improved to 13-2 all-time against Tulsa, as most of their meetings came when both were members of the Western Athletic Conference.
UNLV is back in action on Saturday with two games. The Rebels play Tulsa on Saturday at 11:15 am and then play Marshall at 6:00 pm. The Alexis Resort Kick-Off Classic runs Friday through Sunday. There are five games scheduled for Friday with Illinois-Chicago and Nicholls State opening action at 9:00 am.
