March 18, 2007

Final Stats

TAMPA, Fla. - The UNLV softball team (23-13) dropped its contest Sunday morning to Bowling Green (14-3) in an elimination game of the top-seeded squads in the University of South Florida's Speedline Invitational. The Falcons took the game by a 3-2 score after breaking a 2-2 tie in the sixth.

Bowling Green jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first with help from three hits and an UNLV error. The Falcons opened the game with back-to-back singles off of Christie Robinson to put runners at first and second. Caitlyn Paus looked to have halted the Falcons' scoring threat when she caught a line drive to right and then threw to Jaci Hull covering second to double up the runner. Robinson then plunked Vallas with an offering to put runners back at first and second. Zirkle then delivered a single through the left side that provided for a play at the plate. Brittany Bolinger came up firing a dart to the plate, but Bri Bernardi was unable to hold onto the ball when Ramsey was tagged.

The Rebels answered the 1-0 deficit with a run of their own in the bottom half of the frame. Kelli Fangonilo dropped down a one-out bunt to the pitcher. Fangonilo reached first safely and took second when Gauge errantly threw to an imaginary teammate covering first. With Brittany Meade at the plate, Gauge threw a wild pitch that Zirkle couldn't handle. Fangonilo wound up scoring from second on the wild pitch.

The Falcons took a 2-1 lead in the third on a solo home run down the right field line by Vallas.

For the second time in the game, UNLV was able to counter Bowling Green with a run in the bottom of the inning. Hull hit a two-out double to left and came around to score on a single up the middle by Fangonilo.

After scoreless fourth and fifth innings, the Falcons notched the winning run in the sixth on an RBI-single by Zirtag off of Heather Slettvet. Vallas led off the inning with a double to left and then moved to third on a fielding error on a ball hit to first by Sontag. Before Sontag hit the single up the middle, Vallas moved into scoring position with a stolen base.

Gouge picked up the win for Bowling Green in 7.0 innings of work. She allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits, while striking out seven and walking one.

Slettvet (6-4) took the loss for UNLV in 3.0 innings of relief. She surrendered one run on two hits, while striking out three. Christie Robinson earned a start for UNLV, but recorded a no-decision with 4.0 innings of work. Robinson gave up two runs (one earned) on six hits, while striking out three.

The Rebels return to action next Saturday, March 24, in Stockton, Calif. UNLV will play in the Pacific SFT Mini Tournament against Pacific and Sacramento State.