April 6, 2007

Final Stats

LAS VEGAS - The UNLV softball team (27-16-1 overall, 3-0 MWC) got timely pitching from Stephanie Bregante and Heather Slettvet in its 3-1 win over BYU (20-15, 2-1) Friday night in Mountain West Conference action. The Rebels broke open a 1-1 tie with two runs in the bottom of the fifth for the victory at Eller Media Stadium.

Both teams entered the contest after coming off conference sweeps on Thursday night. BYU defeated San Diego State on the road, while the Rebels held off Utah at home.

The Rebels got off to a quick start with a lead off home run off the bat of Jaci Hull. The offering by Christie Zinanti (7-6) was tattoed over the outer fence in right center.

BYU's offense was held at bay until Bregante (9-6) had a little hiccup in the fourth. Bregante was sailing along as she had retired 11 of the first 13 batters (two walks), before giving up the only hit to BYU. Jodi Norton stepped up to the plate with two out in the fourth and took the pitch to the opposite field for a solo home run.

With the score tied 1-1 in the fifth, the Rebels got on the offensive and picked up two runs to take a 3-1 lead. The Rebels got a two-out surge of their own, as Bri Bernardi walked to kick-start the offense. With Brittany Freight at the plate, a wild pitch was uncorked by Zinanti that allowed Bernardi to move to second. Freight then knocked a run-scoring double to the gap in left center for the go-ahead run. Freight then took third on Zinanti's second wild pitch of the frame. Zinanti then walked Hull on four straight pitches. Hull promptly took off for second and was in safely for the steal, but Courtney Nix-Clark's throw sailed over Norton's head at short and allowed Freight to score easily on the error.

Slettvet came into the contest in relief of Bregante in the sixth and worked herself out of a jam, in which the Cougars put two runners on with one out. After allowing a walk and hitting a batter, she got a strike out and a ground out to end the threat.

In the seventh, Slettvet came out strong and struck out the side to end the game. The 2.0 inning relief stint was good enough to notch her third save of the season, as she struck out four and walked one.

Bregante threw 5.0 innings, while giving up one run on one hit. She tied her season-high of nine strike outs by fanning nine Cougars. She walked two, as well.

Zinanti tossed 6.0 innings and surrendered three runs (two earned) on six hits. She struck out six and walked two.

The Rebels and Cougars return to Eller Media Stadium at 2:00 pm Saturday for the conclusion of their two-game, conference set. Saturday has also been deemed as the Fourth Annual Strike Out Cancer Day with the Rebels teaming up with the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation in the fight against cancer. Fans can purchase raffle tickets in an attempt to win half of the 50/50 collection and various other prizes, such as gift certificates and clothing.