March 12, 2007
LAS VEGAS -
Week Six Release in PDF Format
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Leading Off: The UNLV softball team sits at 19-11 after going 6-2 overall last week, which included a 4-2 showing in the Eller Media Stadium Classic. The Rebels head to California Tuesday, March 13, for two games on the campus of Cal State Fullerton. UNLV will take on the #8/8 ranked (as of March 6) Texas Longhorns at 5:00 pm and then follow that up with a game at 7:00 pm against Fordham.
On Deck: After coming back from their midweek jaunt to Fullerton, Calif., the Rebels head to the Sunshine State for a weekend (Friday, March 16 to Sunday, March 18) of softball action. UNLV returns to the USF-Speedline Invitational for the first time since a 4-3 showing in the 2004 edition of the tournament. There are a total of 16 teams in the 2007 Invitational, with UNLV being grouped with Kent State, Long Island and Rhode Island in Pool C. The Rebels are set to face Kent State and Long Island on Friday afternoon and then take on Rhode Island Saturday morning before entering bracket play.
Tuesday's Opponents:
Texas Longhorns ~ Overall: 20-2 ~ The all-time series sits tied at 3-3, with Texas winning the last meeting 4-0 in Palm Springs, Calif., on Feb. 25, 2006. The Longhorns come to Fullerton, Calif., after playing to a 3-0 record in three mid-week games last week.
Fordham Rams ~ Overall: 9-9 ~ First meeting between UNLV and Fordham. The Rams come to Fullerton, Calif., after a 3-5 showing in the USF/adidas Invitational in Clearwater, Fla.
Last Time Out: Eller Media Stadium Classic: The UNLV softball team went 4-2 in its fourth and final home tournament of the 2007 season. The Rebels defeated #17 Oregon (game two), Harvard, Miami and Portland State in the Eller Media Stadium Classic. The Rebels suffered losses to Oregon (game one) and to Longwood.
On Thursday night, the Rebels split its doubleheader with then-No. 17/15 Oregon. The Ducks got the best of UNLV in game one with a 10-1 final in six innings, but the Rebels came out swinging in game two for a 5-1 win. Christie Robinson pitched UNLV to the win in complete game fashion, while Jaci Hull scored two runs and Caitlyn Paus smacked a two-run home run.
On Friday night, the Rebels played to a 1-0 final against Harvard. Heather Slettvet was all UNLV would need on offense and defense. Slettvet hit a solo home run in the second and then held the Crimson scoreless for the game in 6.0 innings of work. Robinson closed out the seventh for a save.
On Saturday evening, the Rebels played a pair and split them between Miami and Longwood. UNLV pushed out to a 4-2 lead against Miami before the craziness began. The teams combined for eight runs, eight hits and five errors in the final two at-bats. UNLV held on for the 8-6 win. The Rebels weren't as lucky against Longwood, as the Lancers overcame a 2-0 deficit in the fifth to score four runs of its own. The Rebels got a two-run homer from Kendall Fearn, but saw it go to the way-side with the Lancers scoring four runs on five hits.
In the finale of the Classic on Sunday, UNLV needed extra innings to get past Portland State, 3-2. The Rebels jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first, but watched PSU tie it up with a solo home run in the sixth. The Vikings took a 2-1 lead in the eighth with help from the international tie-breaker run put into effect. UNLV wound up loading the bases in the bottom of the eighth. Kelli Fangonilo came up and dropped a two-run single into right field for the game-winning hit.
EMS Classic Offense: In the six games of the Eller Media Stadium Classic, UNLV hit .255 as a team. The Rebels collected 38 hits, eight of which went for extra bases (five doubles and three home runs).
Jaci Hull and Heather Slettvet were the only Rebels to hit above the .300 mark. Hull led the team with her .500 average, while collecting team-highs in hits (eight), walks (five) and on-base percentage (.619). She tied for the team-high in doubles (one), total bases (nine) and steals (two).
Prior to this weekend Slettvet had only registered four at-bats. In four games of the Classic, she went 5-for-11 (.455). She knocked out a home run and legged out a double, while tying Hull in total bases (nine). She also tallied three RBI and scored one run.
EMS Classic Pitching: In the six games of the Eller Media Classic, UNLV's hurlers went 4-2. The staff held an ERA of 2.73 in 41.0 innings of work. They gave up 16 earned runs on 46 hits, while striking out 40 and walking 15.
Christie Robinson led the staff with a 2-1 record and one save in five appearances (two starts). Robinson notched a 5-1 win over then No. 17/15 Oregon in complete game fashion. She also picked up a win over Miami. Her save came against Harvard. On the weekend, she held an ERA of 2.00 in 14.0 innings. She allowed four earned runs on 22 hits. She struck out nine and walked two.
Heather Slettvet went 1-0 and had one save in five appearances (two starts). Slettvet held an ERA of 2.02 in 17.1 innings. She threw a team-high 17.1 innings and allowed five earned runs on 10 hits. She struck out 16 and walked six. Her win came in 6.0 innings of scoreless work against Harvard, while the save was notched against Miami.
Stephanie Bregante went 1-1 on the weekend. Bregante had an ERA of 5.65 in four appearances (two starts). She picked up her win against Portland State by tossing the final 2.1 innings of relief. She threw 8.2 innings and gave up seven runs on 12 hits. She struck out 13 and walked six.
