Feb. 28, 2009

Final Stats

LAS VEGAS - The UNLV Rebels (11-7) pushed its winning streak to five games with their 4-3 victory over the Drake Bulldogs (10-5) during the Saturday edition of the Eller Media Stadium Tournament. UNLV jumped out to a 4-0 lead, but watched Drake score three in the seventh to make things a little closer than necessary.

UNLV struck first with an RBI-single by Kendall Fearn in the first inning that scored Marissa Nichols, who began the frame with a lead-off double.

Ashli Holland extended the Rebels' lead to 3-0, in the third, when she delivered a two-run double right-center. Brittany Bolinger and Jaci Hull scored on Holland's hit after they initially reached via hit-by-pitch and a walk, respectively.

In the fourth inning, Nichols touched home plate for the second time in the game, as she hit a line-drive homer over the fence in left for her fourth of the year.

After being held scoreless through six innings, Drake rallied for three scores in the seventh, but was not able to tie the game up before the final out was scored. Stephanie Bregante (2-1) had held the Bulldogs in check until they recorded back-to-back singles and a walk to load the bases with one out. Jessica O'Connor was summoned from the bullpen following the walk and was greeted by a three-run double by Bridget Shields. Fortunately, Shields got greedy and was thrown out at third. O'Connor got Erin Bly to fly out to end the game.

Bregante picked up her second straight victory in as many starts. She threw 6.1 innings and was responsible for the three Bulldog runs that scored. She allowed five hits and walked three and struck out five.

O'Connor earned her first save in two-thirds of an inning.

Brynne Dordel (5-1) was on the hook for the loss, as she lasted five innings in the circle. Dordel surrendered four hits on seven hits. She fanned eight Rebels and walked two.

UNLV is back in action at 6:00 pm, Saturday night, when they face Loyola Marymount at Eller Media Stadium.