May 10, 2007

Final Stats

PROVO, Utah - The UNLV softball team (35-27 overall, 10-8 Mountain West Conference) lost both games played tonight in Provo, Utah to the BYU Cougars (40-17, 15-3). The Rebels dropped game one by a 11-3 margin in six innings and came up short in the second game, 6-5. With the loss in game one, the Cougars earned the MWC Regular Season crown and the automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament, which begins next weekend.

In game one, UNLV was unable to capitalize in first inning when they left two runners on base, BYU was fortunate to score three off of four base hits. Cortney Nix-Clark began the frame with a lead-off single to center off of Christie Robinson. Jennifer Whitely moved Nix-Clark over to second with a sacrifice bunt. Following a pop out by Jodi Norton, the Cougars got three straight singles to score their runs. Andrea Ramirez and Daniela Urincho-Snow plated one and two runs, respectively.

The Rebels finally got on the board with three runs in the top of the third with help from three hits and a walk. Kelli Fangonilo and Brittany Bolinger led off the frame with back-to-back singles off of Christie Zinanti. Bolinger's single plated Fangonilo from third after she stole second and advanced to third on an errant throw. After Bolinger stole second, Kendall Fearn walked to put runners at first and second. Rosa Ordaz then brought both runners home with a double off the fence in center. The three runs prompted a pitching change by BYU. Christina Gwyn entered the game in relief and got the next to Rebels to strike out.

BYU loaded the bases on Stephanie Bregante in the third with an error, a double and a walk, but was unable to score. Bregante, who relieved Robinson to start the second, got a fielder's choice and a strike out to end the frame.

The Cougars wound up striking for seven runs in the fourth with help from three Rebel errors. The inning began on a sour note when Fangonilo dropped a pop fly hit by Angie Quiocho. BYU wound up scoring three runs before the second out was recorded. Unfortunately, a throwing error by Jaci Hull prolonged the inning and allowed BYU to score two more runs.

Quiocho ended the game in the sixth with a walk-off double to score Tracee Hoch. Quiocho's RBI put BYU up 11-3 and put the run rule into effect.

Gwyn (15-8) picked up the win in 3.2 innings of relief. She allowed only one hit and struck out seven in facing 13 batters.

Bregante (12-10) suffered the loss in 2.1 innings of work. She allowed only one earned run, but four overall scored, while she was in the circle. She walked two and struck out one.

Robinson got the start and was in the circle when the game ended. She tossed 3.1 innings and was responsible for seven runs (four earned) on nine hits. She struck out one.

Zinanti earned a no-decision in 2.1 innings of a start. She surrendered three runs on four hits. She walked three and struck out two.

In game two, BYU jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second on a sacrifice fly to left by Quiocho to score Ramirez from second. Ramirez led off the inning with a ground rule double down the left field line that bounded into the Cougars' bullpen off of Heather Slettvet.

Jaci Hull quickly turned the tide towards UNLV's favor with a two-run blast to deep center on an offering by Gwyn. Hull knocked Alyssia De La Torre in from first, after she reached on a one-out single.

The Cougars evened the game in the bottom of the third on a single by Emi Snow. Nix-Clark opened the frame with a single to right. She moved into scoring position for Snow on a sacrifice bunt and a ground out.

In the bottom of the fourth, BYU took a 4-3 lead off of three consecutive two-out singles. Quiocho led off the two-out offensive with a single and came around to score on a base-knock by Nix-Clark.

BYU added two more to its lead with a pair of runs in the fifth. Jodi Norton cranked a solo shot to open the inning to center. Ramirez and Urincho-Snow connected for back-to-back one-out singles. After loading the bases with help from a hit-by-pitch, Quiocho hit a sac fly to right to bring in Ramirez.

UNLV answered the three BYU runs with one of its own. Fearn knocked a one-out single to center and then was pinch-ran for by Stacey Burgos. Ordaz then hit a double to right center to bring Burgos around to home.

In the top of the seventh, Alyssia De La Torre reached on a fielder's choice and took second when Brittany Meade was caught in a run down. De La Torre took third on a wild pitch and then scored on a single down the left line. Caitlyn Paus came up with two out and hit a deep fly to the fence, but Whiteley was there to snag the fly to end the game.

Gwyn (16-8) picked up the win in game two. She gave up four runs on seven hits. She fanned seven Rebels and walked none.

Sletttvet (9-11) suffered the loss in 4.1 innings of work. She allowed five runs on 10 hits. She struck out two and walked one.

Bregante closed out the final 1.2 innings in relief. She gave up only one hit and one walk, while striking out two.

UNLV returns to action on Friday with a 4:00 pm MT contest against the Utah Utes.