April 25, 2009

Final Stats

ALBUQUERQUE - The UNLV Rebels (28-17 overall, 4-6 Mountain West) scored early and often in its 12-1, five-inning victory over the New Mexico Lobos Saturday evening in Albuquerque. Despite strong winds ranging up to 30 mph, the Rebels put their foot on the gas pedal early and never let off, as they scored in each inning with their lowest output of one run coming in the fifth. In all, UNLV's offense tallied a .560 batting average while scattering 14 hits around and out of Lobo Softball Field.

Kendall Fearn got the offensive off to a fast and furious beginning with a two-run yard-shot to right in the first. Brittany Bolinger scored on Fearn's bomb after originally reaching on a single and taking second on a sac bunt. The hit extended Fearn's hitting streak to a career-best nine games, which has seen her hit .517 during this stretch.

The Rebels added three more scores to the scoreboard in the second when Brittany Meade doubled home Alyssia De La Torre from second. Meade moved to third on an infield single by Tara Bendt and later was joined on the base paths by Marissa Nichols, who reached on a catcher's interference. Bolinger then hit a sacrifice fly to bring Meade home, while Hull followed with a single to plate Bendt.

Nichols added some fireworks to the night with a grand slam in the third that extended the lead to 9-0. De La Torre, Laura Briones and Meade were on base when Nichols went yahtzee.

UNLV loaded the bases in the fourth and got a two-run single by Meade to extend the lead to 11-0. Stefani Sanchez, who was running on behalf of Fearn, and De La Torre scored on the play.

The Lobos produced their only run in the bottom of the fourth on a double by Tianna George. Shaunte Duarte got UNM going with a triple down the line in right and scored easily on George's hit.

Holland closed out UNLV's scoring with a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the fifth. Bolinger opened the inning with a double and was pushed to third with walks issued to Hull and Fearn. The fly ball brought Bolinger home.

Jessica O'Connor (11-6) picked up the victory in 4.0 innings of work. O'Connor only surrendered one run on four hits. She fanned three and walked two.

Analise Rubalcava dropped to 5-16 on the year with 3.0 innings pitched, as she started and later re-entered the game. Rubalcava allowed six runs on seven hits and two walks.

Kerry Hodgins tossed 2.0 frames of relief for the Lobos and duplicated the runs and hits allowed by Rubalcava. Hodgins did strike out one, but walked one, as well.

The Rebels had five record multiple-hit games with Meade leading the squad with a three-hit outing. Bolinger, Fearn, Holland and De La Torre notched two hits apiece.

UNLV returns to action tomorrow afternoon (1:00 pm MT) with a Sunday affair with the Lobos again in Albuquerque.