Feb. 13, 2009
UNLV 6, USM 2
UCLA 9, UNLV 7
LAS VEGAS - The UNLV Rebels (4-2) split their two games in the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic Friday night at Eller Media Stadium. The Rebels defeated the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagle (3-4) by a 6-2 margin, while dropping a slugfest to the UCLA Bruins (9-7), 9-7.
In game one vs. USM, the Rebels fell behind early, as they gave up two runs to the Golden Eagles in the first inning off of Jessica O'Connor (2-0). USM recorded back-to-back infield singles before a sacrifice bunt moved the two runners into scoring position. Megan Hill delivered a two-run single up the middle to give her squad a 2-0 lead.
UNLV got its offense on track in the second inning when Ashli Holland nailed a double down the right-field line from a Courtney Ramos offering. Laura Briones pushed Holland to third with a sacrifice bunt. Brittany Meade plated Holland on a groundout to the pitcher.
The Rebels took the lead for good in the third with consecutive home runs by Brittany Bolinger and Marissa Nichols.
UNLV pushed its lead to 5-2 in the fourth after Korin Cuico scored on an error and Alyssia De La Torre came home on a sacrifice fly.
Bolinger added the final run of the game when she scored on a groundout by Hull.
O'Connor tossed a complete game for her second win of the season. She was only touched for two runs on six hits. She fanned 10 batters and walked only two.
Ramos (3-1) was saddled with the loss in 5.2 innings of work. She allowed six runs, five earned, on six hits. She struck out nine and walked seven.
In game two vs. UCLA, the teams combined for 16 runs, 17 hits and six home runs. The first three innings only saw three runs scored, while 12 were registered in the fourth through sixth frames.
The Bruins opened up the scoring in the second when Monica Harrison cranked a three-run shot off of Traci Odegard to put the visitors up 3-0.
Julie Burney extended UCLA's lead to 4-0 with a solo shot in the fourth.
After stranding six runners on the base paths and having one runner thrown out at home through three, UNLV cut the deficit to two in the fourth. Laura Briones and Stefani Sanchez scored on a passed ball and groundout, respectively.
UCLA got the two runs back and then some in the fifth with Amber Petersen taking over pitching duties in the circle. A run-scoring double by Kaila Shull began the four-run fifth, while Andrea Harrison capped the inning with a three-run homer.
UNLV scored five in the sixth, as De La Torre smashed a grand slam to deep center, while Nichols cranked a shot over the scoreboard in left.
Megan Langenfeld, who moved over from first to the pitcher's circle and allowed the five runs to UNLV, helped herself in the seventh with a solo homer to center.
Whitney Baker (2-0) earned the win for UCLA in 4.0 innings of her start. Baker allowed two runs, one earned, on two hits. She walked five and struck out four.
Odegard (2-1) suffered her first loss of the season, as she only lasted 4.0 innings. She was touched for four runs on six hits, with one walk and three strikeouts.
Petersen threw 3.0 frames and was responsible for five runs on five hits.
UNLV is back in action on Saturday evening (6:00 pm), as they welcome the Saint Louis Billikens to Eller Media Stadium.
