Feb. 6, 2009

Final Stats

LAS VEGAS - The UNLV Rebels improved to 2-0 on the season, but needed to play the full seven innings to stay perfect on the season and in the Sportco Kick-Off Classic. Kendall Fearn, who hit a solo home run in the Rebels' first game earlier Friday, cranked a walk-off two-run shot against Illinois-Chicago (0-1) for a 7-5 victory.

The game was tied up on two occasions with UIC evening things at 2-2 and 5-5.

UNLV got their offense going early with a leadoff home run by Alyssia De La Torre. Brittany Bolinger followed with a single up the middle before moving to second on a sac bunt by Marissa Nichols. A groundout pushed Bolinger to third prior to scoring on Jaci Hull's double to center.

UIC evened things up in the top of the third following back-to-back doubles by Melinda Macias and Melissa Marinacci off Amber Petersen, who was making her first start in the circle as a Rebel. The Flames would end up loading the bases, but Petersen worked out of the jam to end the threat.

The Rebels managed to get their two-run lead back in the bottom half of the third with help from UIC's catcher Stephanie Chavez. With runners in scoring position Chavez threw wildly into left field in an attempt to get Bolinger, but was unsuccessful. Bolinger wound up giving UNLV a 3-2 lead before Ashli Holland singled on a bunt to score Nichols for a 4-2 advantage.

The Rebels pushed their lead to 5-2 in the fourth on De La Torre's second home run of the game. The home run forced UIC to pull Sarah Clynes from the circle in exchange for Ashley Hewett (0-1).

The Flames rallied to knot the score at 5-5 with a three spot in the sixth. Stephanie Bregante, who relieved Petersen in the fourth, gave up home runs to Ashley Hewett and Sarah Clynes in the inning. Hewett's was a solo shot that bounced off the top of the left-field fence, while Clynes was a two-run blast.

Jessica O'Connor (1-0) was summoned from the bullpen to relieve Bregante with the game tied at 5-5. O'Connor held the Flames scoreless for the 1.1 innings she worked. She struck out two and allowed only one hit, while picking up her first win as a Rebel.

Nichols began the seventh with a walk issued by Hewett before Fearn ended things abruptly with her blast that cleared the outer fence of the stadium.

Hewett was saddled with the loss in 2.2 innings of relief for UIC. She gave up two runs on one hit. She struck out two and walked one.

Petersen and Bregante earned no-decisions for their pitching efforts. Petersen lasted 3.1 innings and allowed two runs on three hits with one strikeout and three walks. Bregante tossed 2.1 innings, while giving up three runs on three hits with a strikeout and a walk.

UNLV returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 7, with a contest vs. Seton Hall (10:00 am). Depending on the games outcome the Rebels could play again later in the day at either 2:30 or 4:45 pm.