April 17, 2008
Final Stats
GREELEY, Colo. - The UNLV Rebels (21-28-1) lost 5-1 in Greeley, Colo., Thursday afternoon to the Northern Colorado Bears (8-31) at Butler-Hancock Softball Field. UNLV took an early 1-0 lead with a run in the first inning, but then watched the Bears score five unanswered between the third and fourth frames to claim the game.
Brittany Bolinger put UNLV up 1-0 in the top of the first when she scored following a fielder's choice put in play by Jaci Hull. With runners on first and second, Hull's grounder deflected off of UNC's Hillarie Van Otterloo and to Abby Tuner at second. Turner got Stephanie Bean out at second, but Bolinger took third safely. Hull rounded first and was able to cause a throw in her direction to allow Bolinger to cross home plate.
After leaving a runner stranded at third to end the second inning, the Bears took advantage of their opportunities in the third. Three consecutive infield singles off of Stephanie Bregante, two of which were by bunt, led to a bases loaded situation for Van Otterloo, who delivered a two-run single up the middle to turn the tide of the game. A walk followed to load the bases up for the second time in the inning. Courtney Maihi closed out the scoring in the inning when she knocked in two runs on a single to left field.
UNC added a fifth run in the fourth with help from a UNLV throwing error. With one out and runners on first and second, Laura Briones' pick-off attempt at first base rolled into right field and allowed Mackenzie Barrett to move up to 60-feet and settle at third. Kelley Johns stepped up and brought James in to push the Bears' lead to four runs.
Van Otterloo picked up the win for UNC, as she tossed a complete game. She no-hit UNLV through the first 3.2 innings and managed to surrender only five on the day. She gave up only one run, while striking out one to four walks.
Bregante took the loss for UNLV in 6.0 innings of work. She allowed five runs (four earned) on 11 hits. She struck out five and walked two.
Next up for the Rebels is a doubleheader at Colorado State on Friday, April 18. Game one is scheduled for 1:30 pm MT/12:30 pm PT. Both games will be shown live on The Mtn. (Las Vegas' Cox Digital 334).
