April 20, 2008
Final Stats
ALBUQUERQUE - The UNLV Rebels (23-30-1 overall, 3-7 Mountain West) own a two-game winning streak thanks to their 5-3 victory Sunday afternoon in Albuquerque, N.M., against the New Mexico Lobos (20-18, 4-6 MWC). For the second straight game New Mexico took an early lead only to watch UNLV battle back and claim another win.
UNLV got timely hitting in the game and have now hit in double-digits in its last four contests. Today, the Rebels scattered 10 hits around Lobo field to own 51 in their last four games. The last time UNLV registered 10+ hits in four consecutive contests was in 2007 (April 14-18).
Heather Slettvet and Stephanie Bregante held the Lobo bats in check, as they only allowed two hits to the home squad.
The Lobos took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning with help from two walks and a fielding error. Slettvet walked the first two batters she faced and then watched a groundout to short push both runners into scoring position. Katie Gilmore followed with a slow roller back to Slettvet, which was misplayed and allowed Samantha Hughes to score the first run of the game.
UNLV rallied back in the second with a four-run inning with an RBI-single by Laura Briones and a three-run home run off the bat of Stephanie Bean. Ashli Holland and Alyssia De La Torre led off the inning with back-to-back singles. Jessica DeMatteo then reached on a fielder's choice that forced De La Torre out at second, but pushed Holland to third base. Briones then dropped in a bloop single down the left field line to plate Holland. Bean stepped up after the second out was recorded and hit a shot down the line in left to put UNLV up 3-1.
The Rebels extended their lead to four runs with a lone tally in the third. Brittany Meade led off the inning with a double down the right-field line and came around to score on a double by De La Torre to deep left.
UNM struck for two runs in third on a single to left by Gabriella Parra. Slettvet initially hit the first two batters she faced before Bregante was summoned from the bullpen. She walked the first batter she faced to load the bases before giving up Parra's single.
Slettvet notched win and improved to 3-11 on the year in 4.0 total innings of work. She did not allow a hit, but did give up all three Lobo runs (two earned).
Bregante worked three innings of relief and surrendered New Mexico's two hits.
Kelly Ninemire picked up the loss for the second straight day. Ninemire lasted a bit longer than last night, as she worked seven innings. She gave up five runs on 10 hits.
The Rebels continue their life on the road next week, as they play four games in the Beehive State against Utah and BYU. The Utah Utes are up first with a doubleheader scheduled for April 24. The BYU Cougars will host the Rebels in a two-game set on April 25/26.
