March 7, 2007
LAS VEGAS -
Week Five Release in PDF Format
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Leading Off: The UNLV softball team sits at 15-9 following its second straight 3-3 showing in a tournament. The Rebels remain home this weekend for their own Eller Media Stadium Classic after hosting the UNLV Invitational. The Rebels will square off against Oregon (twice), Harvard, Miami and Longwood. New Mexico State is coming to Las Vegas, as well, but is not scheduled to face UNLV.
On Deck: The Rebels will hit the road next week with a day trip to Fullerton, Calif., on Tuesday, March 13, and a weekend trip to the USF-Speedline Invitational in Tampa, Fla. UNLV will take on Texas (5:00 pm) and Fordham (7:00 pm) at the Titan Softball Complex on Tuesday. On Friday, March 16, the Rebels will begin pool play with games against Kent State and Long Island. UNLV will face Rhode Island on the 17th, prior to being placed in bracket play.
Last Time Out: UNLV Invitational: The Rebel softball team went 3-3 in the UNLV Invitational this past weekend, March 2-5. UNLV got off to a rough start with close losses to Fresno State (2-0), DePaul (8-6 in 11) and #18/18 California (5-4). The team rebounded from its three-game losing streak to counter with a three-game winning streak, by defeating Southern Utah (3-0) and Delaware State (9-3 and 9-4).
On Friday afternoon, the Rebels allowed both Fresno State runs to cross in the fifth inning with help from a wild pitch and a run-scoring single. The Rebels left two runners stranded at third base in the game.
UNLV followed up the FS scoreless affair with another, so to speak. DePaul and UNLV needed extra innings to put runs up on the scoreboard. After eight scoreless innings of play, both teams exploded for four runs apiece in the ninth. The Blue Demons took a short-lived two run lead in the 10th, only to see the Rebels get a two-run home run from Bri Bernardi. DePaul finally got the advantage when they scored the final two runs of the game and held UNLV silent in the 11th.
On Saturday, California pushed out to a 4-0 lead, but watched as UNLV rallied to cut the deficit to two in the bottom of the fifth. The Golden Bears added an insurance run in the top of the seventh and fortunately, for them they needed it. UNLV scored two in the bottom of half of the inning and for the second time in three games, the game-tying run was left stranded on third base.
The Rebels got back to their winning ways with a 3-0 win over Southern Utah Saturday night. Kelli Fangonilo put UNLV up for good with a run-scoring triple in the fifth and added one more run in the frame. The Rebels added the third run in the sixth.
On Monday night, UNLV played a pair against Delaware State. The games were similar in that the Rebels scored eight runs in each of the games' first two innings. UNLV won game one 9-3 and took the second 9-4.
UNLV Invitational Offense: In the Rebels' six games of the UNLV Invitational the team hit at a .258 clip. The offense collected 46 hits in 178 at-bats. Of those 46 hits, 19 of them went for extra bases (12 doubles, five triples and two home runs). The team had three players hit above the .300 mark, with Jaci Hull leading the way with a .444 hitting percentage. Bri Bernardi hti at a .375 clip, while Kelli Fangonilo rounded out the three with her .316 average.
Hull led the offense in hitting percentage (.444), hits (eight), doubles (four), triples (one), total bases (14), slugging (.778) and on-base (.565).
Bernardi and Fangonilo both collected six hits apiece. Bernardi knocked out one home run and legged out a double, while collecting four RBI and scoring four runs. Fangonilo led the squad with seven runs scored, as she hit one of the team's five triples.
UNLV Invitational Pitching: In the Rebels' six games of the UNLV Invitational the pitching staff held a 3-3 mark and amassed a 2.35 ERA. The staff allowed 22 earned runs in 46.0 innings, while striking out 42 and walking 14. Christie Robinson went 2-0 on the weekend in three starts. Robinson held her ERA to 1.10 in 16.1 innings of work. She allowed two earned runs on seven hits, while striking out 11 and walking four. The opposition only hit .137 against her.
Stephanie Bregante notched the third win of the weekend, but lost two, as well. Bregante had an ERA of 3.75 in four appearances (three starts). She tossed 12.0 innings. She surrendered five earned runs on 12 hits, while striking out 13 and walking three.
Heather Slettvet went 0-1, but picked up her first save of the season. Slettvet saw action in five of six contests, all in relief. She threw 11.2 innings and gave up three earned runs on seven hits. She struck out nine and walked five.
Highly Offensive Matter: Through four weekends of play, the Rebels are hitting at a .294 clip. The offense has scattered 186 hits, with 14 of them leaving the ballpark. The team has tallied 33 doubles and nine triples.
The Rebels have six players with 45 or more at-bats hitting above the .300 mark. Bri Bernardi leads the team with a .391 average. Jaci Hull sits in second hitting .369. Brittany Freight comes in third with a .345 average, while Kendall Fearn (.324), Brittany Meade (.319) and Caitlyn Paus (.306) round out the six.
In the home run department, the team is carrying over the long ball skills that have been displayed over the past two seasons. In 2005, the Rebels smashed a school-record 50 home runs. Last season, the team came close to that mark with 44. Thus far, through 24 games the team has smashed 18.
The nine triples, thus far in 2007, have already surpassed the triple tally in 2006. The `06 squad only collected three three-baggers (all tallied by Brittany Bolinger), while this season's team has nearly hit double-digits. Hull, Bolinger and Jenn Newman sit tied for the team-lead with two triples, apiece.
Compact Model Since getting the call to be one-half of the battery on Feb. 18, against Illinois, Bri Bernardi has taken advantage of the opportunity. Bernardi, who comes in at 5'3", has started 14 straight contests behind the plate and has done damage while standing in the right-handed batter's box, as well.
In the past 14 games, she leads the team in hitting percentage (.436), total bases (22), slugging percentage (.564) and on-base percentage.
She has collected 17 hits, which includes two doubles and one home run. She has knocked in six RBI and scored four runs.
Overall, she leads the team with her .391 batting average. She is tied for sixth in hits with 18.
Behind the plate, she holds a .979 fielding percentage in 99 opportunities (77 putouts, 17 assists and two errors).
One Hull Of A Player After missing last season due to a medical redshirt, Jaci Hull is playing at the same pace that she began 2006, prior to her injury.
Hull leads the team in hits (24), slugging percentage (.600), walks (22) and on-base percentage (.528). She sits tied for the team-lead in triples (two), total bases (39) and stolen bases (six).
She has been on base, via hit or walk, in 19 games.
She has eight multi-hit games and five multi-walk games. She has three multi-RBI games, including a three-RBI contest against California. She has five multi-run scoring games.
Fearn Golly Through four weekends of play, Kendall Fearn is doing a good job offensively and defensively. Fearn sits fourth on the team in batting average (.324) and is tops on the team in home runs (four), and RBI (17), while tying for the lead in total bases (39). In the walk department, she is only the second Rebel to amass double-digits with 12 free passes.
Prior to the UNLV Invitational, she had hit .500 (Alexis), .412 (Louisville) and .300 (Palm Springs) in the three earlier tournaments.
She was named the Mountain West Conference's initial Player of the Week on Feb. 6, for her efforts in leading UNLV to a 5-0 record in the Alexis Resort Kick-Off Classic. She tied for the team-lead in hitting (.500) and hits (six). She led the team outright in total bases (14) and slugging (1.167). She also had two doubles and two home runs. She knocked in six RBI and scored five runs. Picking Up Where She Left Off In UNLV's 2005 magical season, Brittany Meade was named to the Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-West Region Second Team, Mountain West All-Conference Team and a player of the week (May 3).
In 2006, Meade had to redshirt due to injury and watched as UNLV suffered through a 26-37 injury-riddled season.
Through 24 games in this early 2007 season, Meade is hitting .319 with 23 hits in 72 at-bats. She is second in hits with 23, with seven of those going for a team-leading two bases. She has knocked in 12 RBI and scored 11runs.
Senior(ita) Freight: Brittany Freight is the lone senior on the UNLV softball team this season. The elder classman is keeping up with the youngsters on the squad by sitting third amongst the team in hitting percentage (.345). She has collected 19 hits with six of them going down for extra bases (five doubles and one triple).
She has an on-base percentage of .438, which has been helped by her 19 hits, seven walks and two hit-by-pitches. She has scored 11 runs, while knocking in four RBI.
Inside The Circle: Through four weekends of play and 24 total games, the UNLV pitching staff holds a 15-9 record. In 164..0 innings of work the staff has amassed an ERA of 3.62. The opposition is hitting .262 against UNLV, while collecting 166 hits.
Christie Robinson leads the staff with a 6-1 record. Robinson sits its tops on the team in wins (six), innings pitched (50.2) and games started (eight). She has made 13 appearances and notched one save, as well. She has allowed 20 runs to score on 46 hits, while striking out 27 and walking 12.
Stephanie Bregante leads the staff with a 2.55 ERA and 50 strikeouts. Bregante is second in wins with five (5-4 overall record) and appearances (13). She has started five games and thrown 42.1 innings. She has allowed 12 runs on 37 hits, while holding a 7-to-1 ratio in strikeouts (50) to walks (seven).
Heather Slettvet sits 3-3 with one save in a team-high 14 appearances. Slettvet holds an ERA of 3.92, while allowing 19 earned runs on 45 hits in 43.2 innings of work. She has struck out 34 batters and issued 18 walks.
