April 28, 2007
Final Stats
LAS VEGAS - The New Mexico Lobos (18-7 overall, 7-3 MWC) extended UNLV's losing streak to five games on Saturday night at Eller Media Stadium. The Rebels (32-24, 7-5) fell behind early and had to fight back, but came up one run shy of tying up the contest before succumbing to a 5-4 final. The loss is the fourth straight for UNLV by one run.
The Lobos opened up the scoring with three runs in the first inning with help from two walks, an error and one single. Heather Slettvet walked Samantha Hughes to open the game. An error by Jaci Hull at short stop allowed Analise Rubalcava to reach safely and moved Hughes to second. A walk to Amy Ray loaded the bases. Lindsey Elcess plated Hughes on a ground out, while Rubalcava came around to score on Katie Gilmore's single. Ray scored the final run of the frame on a ground out by Becky Dover.
UNM pushed its lead to four runs when Erin Brandow came around to score after opening the second inning by being hit by a pitch. Brandow came around to score on a fielder's choice by Analise Rubalcava.
UNLV cut the lead down to one run with a single score in the bottom of the second and two in the third. Bri Bernardi put the first Rebel run on the board with a solo home run to left field.
In the third, Jaci Hull reached on a fielder's choice and took second when the base was left uncovered. Kelli Fangonilo knocked a double down the left field line to score Hull. Fangonilo came around to score on a single to center.
The Lobos got one of the runs back with one in the fourth. Hughes and Rubalcava were on the corners following a fielder's choice and a single, respectively. Ray then hit a fielder's choice grounder to Slettvet in the circle to bring home Hughes.
The Rebels pulled within one in the fifth following an infield hit by Hull. Ray helped UNLV out with an error at second on a grounder by Caitlyn Paus, who later took second on a wild pitch. Following the second out, Hull hit a chopper to Ray that was unplayable. When the ball rolled away from Ray, Paus scored from third.
Kelly Ninemire (12-9) picked up the win for UNM in complete-game fashion. Ninemire surrendered four runs (three earned) on six hits. She struck out one.
Slettvet (8-9) suffered the loss in 7.0 innings of work. Although she gave up five runs, only two were earned. The Lobos scattered six hits off of her, while striking out twice.
The Rebels and Lobos return to action at noon on Sunday at Eller Media Stadium. The teams were originally slated to play one game, but due to a rain out in Albuquerque, N.M. on April 13, the teams will play two. UNM will be designated as the home team in game one, while UNLV will be home for game two.
