March 2, 2007
Final Stats
LAS VEGAS - The Rebel softball team (12-8) had a rough go at it on the first day of the UNLV Invitational at Eller Media Stadium. UNLV dropped its first game to the Fresno State Bulldogs, 2-0, in quick fashion and then played an 11-inning marathon against the DePaul Blue Demons, 8-6.
In game one, the Rebels were held scoreless for the fourth time this season. The Bulldogs scored both of their runs in the top of the fourth inning on four hits.
Following back-to-back singles off of Stephanie Bregante (4-3) in the fourth, UNLV called on Heather Slettvet from the bullpen. Slettvet gave up a single to load the bases with FS's third straight single. A wild pitch allowed Merryann Barr to score from third and the other two runners to advance a base. After Slettvet got a strikeout for the second out of the inning, Jenna Cervantez knocked a single through the left side to score Nichole Willis.
The two runs were all that Barr (3-1) would need to notch the victory in 5.0 innings of work. Barr allowed only three hits (all doubles) to UNLV and struck out two, while walking one. Robin Mackin picked up her third save of the season with 2.0 innings of relief. Mackin struck out three and walked one.
Bregante suffered the loss for UNLV with 3.0 innings of work. She gave up both runs, three hits and struck out three.
Game two went similar to the first in that there wasn't much scoring through the first seven innings. Then again, there weren't any runs scored through the first eight innings of the 13-inning affair. The two teams combined for 14 runs in the final three innings, with DePaul holding the edge 8-6.
DePaul staked itself to a 4-0 lead in the top of the ninth on two hits and one Rebel error. After scoring one run on a fielder's choice with the bases loaded, the Blue Demons got a three-run home run to left by Kate Sheaks.
The Rebels countered by tying the game with four runs of their own. With Brittany Bolinger placed on second with help from the international tiebreaker rule, UNLV put runners on the corners with a single by Alyssia De La Torre. Jaci Hull plated Bolinger with a single up the middle and moved De La Torre to second. Kelli Fangonilo loaded the bases with a walk. Brittany Meade brought De La Torre home with a ground out to short. Kendall Fearn cleared the bases with a two-run double to right center.
The Blue Demons pushed back to a two-run lead at 6-4 in the 10th after scoring their runs off of one hit and two UNLV miscues.
Bri Bernardi erased the two-run deficit with a two-run blast in the bottom of the 10th. Stacey Burgos scored on the play after entering as a pinch-runner for Rosa Ordaz.
The game went to DePaul when they put the final two runs on the scoreboard in the 11th. The Blue Demons had Sheaks placed at second to begin the inning and moved her to third on a bunt single by Shea Warren. After Warren stole second, Bregante was brought into the game. Bregante got the next two batters to strike out and pop up. Amber Patton came up and delivered the a single to center to break the 6-6 tie.
Megan Huitink (3-1) took the win after tossing the final 2.0 innings in relief. Huitink gave up one run on one hit and struck out four. Tracie Adix pitched the first 9.0 innings for DePaul. Adix gave up five runs (three earned) on nine hits. She struck out four and walked five.
Slettvet (3-3) took the loss for UNLV in 1.2 innings of relief. Slettvet allowed four runs (two earned) on two hits. Christie Robinson got the start for UNLV, but earned a no-decision in 8.1 innings of work. Robinson allowed four runs (two earned) on three hits. Robinson struck out five and walked three. Bregante closed out the game with 1.0 inning of work and gave up only one hit and struck out two.
The Rebels return to action on Saturday with a two games. UNLV will face California at 3:45 pm and follow that up with an 8:15 pm tilt with Southern Utah. For full tournament coverage check out the Rebels' softball site on UNLVRebels.com.
