May 2, 2008

UNLV 6, New Mexico 3

UNLV 5, New Mexico 3

LAS VEGAS - The UNLV Rebels closed out its season series with the New Mexico Lobos in dramatic fashion. The Rebels swept the Lobos in all four of their Mountain West Conference games, including Friday night's doubleheader at Eller Media Stadium. UNLV took game one by a 6-3 margin and rallied for a 5-3 win in game two.

In game one, UNLV built up a four-run lead through three innings and held on for the victory.

Caitlyn Paus put the Rebels up for good with an RBI-single in the second inning that scored Rosa Ordaz from second base. Ordaz led off the inning with a single and moved into scoring position on a hit by Chey Farley.

In the fourth, UNLV scored three runs off of four hits to push its lead to 4-0. Alyssia De La Torre opened the offensive with a lead-off single through the right-side before stealing second with Jaci Hull in the batter's box. Hull brought De La Torre home on an RBI-single to center. Ashli Holland pushed Hull to third on a double down the left-field line. Brittany Meade plated Hull with a sacrifice fly to, while Laura Briones knocked Holland in on single to right.

Heather Slettvet, who tossed a complete-game one-hitter for UNLV, allowed the Lobos the pull within one run in the sixth. UNM's three-run inning was aided by two walks with the bases loaded and a sacrifice fly by Erin Brandow.

The Rebels got two of the runs back in the bottom of the sixth with help from a UNM error and a run-scoring single by Paus. Briones led off the inning with a double to left before Stefani Sanchez pinch-ran for her. Chey Farley laid down a sacrifice bunt attempt that was errantly thrown to first by Analise Rubalcava. Farley finished the play standing on second base, while Sanchez scored. Farley found her way to home plate on Paus' single to right.

Slettvet improved to 4-15 on the year in 7.0 innings of work. She struck out four, but walked eight.

Kelly Ninemire dropped to 15-14 on the year with the loss. Ninemire threw 6.0 innings and allowed six runs (five earned) on 13 hits. She struck out three and walked one.

In game two, UNLV rallied from a two-run deficit in the bottom of the sixth with a grand slam smashed by Briones. The bases-clearing shot turned the game around in the Rebels' favor and gave them a 5-3 lead.

Down two runs in the sixth, the Rebels rallied with a walk issued to De La Torre and back-to-back single by Hull and Holland. After UNM's Madelyn Machac retired the second out of the inning, Briones stepped up and delivered the game-winning hit that cleared the fences.

UNM got two runs early in the first inning with help from two Rebel errors. Samantha Hughes led off the frame by reaching on a fielding error and then stole second. Sara Loeffelholz was hit by a pitch and joined Hughes in scoring position on a wild pitch uncorked by Traci Odegard. Hughes scored the game's first run when Briones errantly threw a pick-off attempt past Brittany Meade covering third. Katie Gilmore's single to third scored Loeffelholz.

Brittany Bolinger pulled UNLV within one run at 2-1 when she scored in the bottom of the first. Bolinger began the inning with a single to left-center. She advanced around the bases on a fielder's choice and a groundout. She scored on a throwing error by the catcher to second base attempting to throw Jaci Hull out on a steal attempt.

The Lobos extended its lead to 3-1 on run-scoring single by Analise Rubalcava. Gilmore started the inning with a single to center and moved to third on a double by Tianna George. George's hit ended Odegard's night in the circle and brought Ashley Arnett in from the bullpen. Rubalcava welcomed Arnett to the game with a single to left.

Arnett (3-0) earned the win in 4.0 innings of relief. She held UNM scoreless and was only touched for two hits. She struck out three to walking only two.

Machac (5-5) took the loss in 6.0 innings of work. She surrendered five runs (four earned) on seven hits. She fanned four batters and walked one.

The Rebels are back in action Saturday night with a 6:00 pm contest against the Colorado State at Eller Media Stadium.