Feb. 24, 2008
Final Stats
LAS VEGAS - The #18 UNLV Rebels (10-6-1) were upset 10-6 by the Florida Atlantic Owls (6-9) on the final day of the Palm Springs Classic held in Cathedral City, Calif. The Owls used a six-run fifth inning to take control of the game that was aided by two Rebel errors. UNLV held control of the game early on, but the game turned in the later innings.
The Rebels took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first with help from a passed ball to score Jaci Hull from third. Hull had reached on a walk and moved around the bases on a fielder's choice and another walk.
UNLV extended its lead to 2-0 when Hull singled home Ashli Holland from second. Holland and Brittany Bolinger were on second and first, respectively, for Hull's hit to center.
FAU evened the score at 2-2 when Amber Barton took Stephanie Bregante's offering deep to left in the top half of the third. Barton's homer came with two out and scored Becky Brandies after she reached on a single.
Brittany Meade broke the tie with a run-scoring single through the left side in the third. Laura Briones scored from third after leading off the frame with a walk and advancing around the bases with help from a wild pitch and a passed ball.
The Owls turned the tables on the Rebels in the fifth with six runs on three hits and help from two errors. After a lead-off double by Brandies, Traci Odegard was summoned from the bullpen in relief of Bregante. A wild pitch moved Brandies to third, while the first error of the inning brought her home. After loading the bases, Lauren Crandall hit a two-run single to left center to score two runs. The second error of the inning brought in the fourth run, while a two-run single by Brittany Walker closed out the scoring and holding an 8-3 lead.
Meade pulled UNLV within 8-5 with a two-run single in the fifth. Briones led off the inning with a walk, while Alyssia De La Torre followed with a single through the left side. Both runners moved up a base on a wild pitch before scoring on Meade's hit.
FAU loaded up the bases and got its ninth run on a wild pitch and then its 10th on a single by Crandall.
UNLV pulled within 10-6 with a run in the sixth, but was unable to get any closer. Hull walked with two out and took second on a wild pitch before scoring on a single by Rosa Ordaz.
Barton picked up the win and improved to 4-5 on the year, while giving up six runs (five earned) on seven hits. She walked nine Rebels in the game.
Odegard (4-2) takes the loss in 2.2 innings of relief. She allowed seven runs, although only three were earned.
The Rebels return to action in the Eller Media Stadium Classic that will begin on Feb. 29 and end on March 2. UNLV will welcome California, Hawai'i, Long Beach State, Pittsburgh and Western Kentucky to Las Vegas. The team will play its first games on the 29th vs. Western Kentucky (6:00 pm) and Pittsburgh (8:15 pm).
