University of Nevada Las Vegas
Long Beach State (National Invitational Softball Tournament)
3/14/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 14, 2009
SAN JOSE, Calif. - The UNLV Rebels (19-8) extended its winning streak to seven games with their 4-2 victory over the Long Beach State 49ers (17-10) on Saturday morning at PAL Field in the National Invitational Softball Tournament in San Jose, Calif. The Rebels got timely hitting in the game, which included a two-run homer by Jaci Hull and a solo by Kendall Fearn. Stephanie Bregante notched her fifth straight win in the circle, while Jessica O'Connor picked up the save.
UNLV has won 13 of its last 14, which ranks as the fourth-best stretch with one loss surrounded by wins. The 1995 squad went 16-1 in a 17-game run, while the 1991 and 2005 teams reeled off 14 wins in 15 games.
After two scoreless innings of play, UNLV struck for two runs in the third off of a two-run homer by Hull. Marissa Nichols scored on Hull's homer after leading off the frame with a double to left-center that pushed her winning streak to 11 games.
Prior to Hull's home run, the game was delayed 30 minutes for the pitching rubber to be pushed back three feet to the 43-feet standard.
UNLV extended its lead to 3-0 in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Brittany Bolinger that scored Laura Briones. Singles by Briones and Tara Bendt forced LBSU to summon Taylor Petty from the bullpen in relief of Brooke Turner. Petty immediately walked Nichols to load the bases for Bolinger's fly.
The 49ers cut their deficit to one run after notching two scores in the top of the fifth. Ashley Levine smacked a solo shot to open up the scoring, while Jodi Nakawatase scored on a single by Jennifer Griffin that ended Bregante's day in the circle. O'Connor entered in relief and immediately got two consecutive outs to end the inning.
Fearn got one run back for UNLV in the bottom of the fifth when she cranked a solo bomb that landed well over the second outfield fence.
Bregante improved to 5-1 on the year in 4.1 innings of work. She allowed two runs on four hits, while striking out three and walking two.
O'Connor tossed the final 2.2 innings and was only touched for two hits. She struck out one and walked one.
Turner only lasted 3.1 frames and was on the hook for three runs and eight hits. She struck out two.
Petty went 2.2 innings in relief and gave up one run on three hits. She fanned three and walked two.
UNLV is back in action at 3:00 pm, Friday afternoon when they face San Jose State at SJSU Field.
Notes:
-Nichols' 11-game hitting streak is the longest by a Rebel since she strung together a 14-game streak in 2006.
-Besides Nichols' hitting streak, Hull (nine), Briones (eight), Elena Fata (seven) and Bendt (six) extended their own streaks.
