March 6, 2009
Final Stats
LAS VEGAS - The UNLV Rebels (13-8) needed a five-run, sixth inning to win, 5-2, in come-from-behind fashion over the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos (11-8) on Friday afternoon in the UNLV Invitational. UNLV fell behind 2-0 through five and left a quintet of runners on the base paths, three of which were stranded at third. The Rebels took advantage of two Gaucho errors to notch their first victory of the season when trailing after four frames.
UCSB struck early as they loaded the bases off of a hit-by-pitch, a single and a walk issued by Traci Odegard (6-4). Unfortunately, Odegard wound up plunking the next batter she faced to allow the Gaucho run.
The Guachos pushed their lead to 2-0 with a run-scoring single by Amanda Ziegler to right field. Tiffany Wright scored on the single after placing herself on third following a triple.
In the sixth, Elena Fata stepped to the plate with the bases juiced and promptly delivered a single to right to score the Rebels' first run. Korin Cuico kept the inning alive with help from UCSB second baseman Christine Ramos, who errantly threw the ball to first in an attempt for the out and allowed Kara Bendt to tie the game at 2-2. Marissa Nichols put UNLV up for good with a double down the line in right, which scored three.
Odegard went the distance for her sixth complete game of the season. She allowed two runs on six hits. She fanned five and walked two.
MeLinda Matsumoto suffered the loss in 4.0 innings of relief, although all five Rebel runs were officially scored as unearned. Matsumoto was touched for five hits, while striking out three.
UNLV is back in action Friday night, as they face Texas Tech at 5:30 pm.
