April 30, 2008

UNR 9, UNLV 1 (5)

UNR 10, UNLV 9

RENO, Nev. - The UNLV Rebel softball team (23-36-1) lost its doubleheader in Reno, Nev., at Hixson Park to the 19th-ranked Nevada, Reno Wolf Pack (37-14) on Wednesday afternoon. The Wolf Pack won game one by a 9-1 margin in five innings, while rallying back in the second game for a 10-9 win.

In game one, UNR scored three runs in the first inning with help from three singles, a walk and a wild pitch. The Wolf Pack got back-to-back singles before UNLV recorded two straight outs off of fielder's choice plays. A walk loaded up the bases before Heather Slettvet uncorked a wild pitch to score the game's first score from third to give UNR a 1-0 lead. Kelsey Starr connected on a two-run single up the middle to put the Wolf Pack up 3-0.

The Wolf Pack increased its lead to 6-0 with three runs in the second. Brittany Puzey stepped up with runners in scoring position and grounded out to bring in one run. After loading the bases, UNR got a two-run single from Sam Bias to extend the lead.

UNLV scored its lone run of the game in the fourth on a single by Ashli Holland. Jaci Hull reached on a double to left-center field and moved to third on a fly out to right by Rosa Ordaz. Holland's hit into the hole at short stop allowed Hull to score easily from third.

A two-run home run by Puzey in the fourth and a one-run double by Tyler Schafer put the wraps on the 9-1, run-ruled game.

Katie Holverson improved to 18-5 with the victory. Holverson allowed one run on three hits, while striking out seven.

Heather Slettvet dropped to 3-15 on the year in 1.2 innings of a start. Slettvet surrendered six runs on six hits.

Ashley Arnett threw the final 2.2 frames and gave up three runs (two earned) off of four hits.

Game two started out in UNLV's favor, as the Rebels went up 9-0 after three innings of play. Unfortunately, UNR got a two-run home run in the fourth and an eight-run sixth inning to turn the tide of the game.

Rosa Ordaz got the Rebels' third-inning offense rolling in the inning with her first of two hits in the stanza. Ordaz knocked a double to third before taking third on a walk. Sandy Nakamura stepped up with runners on the corners and dropped down a perfect bunt to allow Ordaz to score. After the initial score, the Rebels started playing base-to-base with three consecutive singles to bring one run home at a time. Ashli Holland broke the game open with a grand slam home run to left-center field. Holland's blast was enough to force UNR to pull its starter, Jordan McPherson, from the game.

UNLV pushed its lead to 9-0 with a two-run home run in the third off the bat of Brittany Bolinger from a ball thrown by Richelle Villescas.

Sam Bias started the Wolf Pack's come-from-behind win with a two-run homer in the fourth off Traci Odegard.

In the sixth, UNR plated eight runs on seven hits with one error. Michelle Beach picked up the big hit of the inning for the Wolf Pack, as she stepped up as a pinch-hitter and nailed Arnett's offering past the fence for a grand slam. Britton Murdock was responsible for the go-ahead RBI when she hit a run-scoring single to right field.

Villescas held on for the win and moved to 6-0 in 4.2 innings of relief for the Wolf Pack. She gave up two runs, while striking out five and walking one.

Holverson picked up her sixth save of the season, as she pitched a scoreless seventh inning. Odegard (6-6) took the loss for UNLV in 6.0 combined innings. She scattered six runs (five earned) on 10 hits.

Arnett threw briefly in the sixth and did not record an out. She gave up four runs (three earned) on two hits.