May 1, 2009
Final Stats
LAS VEGAS - The UNLV Rebels (30-18 overall, 6-7 Mountain West) reached the 30-win plateau for the 12th time in program history with their 14-4, six-inning victory over the Utah Utes (20-28, 2-7) on Friday night at Eller Media Stadium. The Rebels held a 6-4 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth before watching their offense erupt for eight runs in the bottom of the frame. In all, UNLV had 16 hits, six of which were split evenly between Brittany Bolinger and Ashli Holland.
Holland, Kendall Fearn and Chey Farley each racked up three RBI in the contest, as a eight Rebels had at least one tally.
Utah recorded the first run of the game off a sacrifice fly by Whitney Holm, but watched as UNLV evened the score at one apiece in the bottom half in the first. Holland stepped up with runners on first and second and hit a ball through the left side to bring in the tying run. Bolinger scored on the hit after initially reaching on a single of her own.
The Rebels put four more scores on the board in the second with help from five singles. Elena Fata and Farley reached base following a walk and single, respectively. With two runners on Marissa Nichols delivered a single to left to bring home Fata from second. Farley, who was on first, and Nichols moved into scoring position on the throw to the plate. Bolinger then cranked a single to right center to bring home Farley. UNLV then went to playing base-to-base ball after loading them up. Holland and Alyssia De La Torre then hit consecutive RBI-singles to extend the lead to 5-1.
The Utes cut the deficit to three with a solo home run in the third by Angie Boardman, but watched as UNLV picked the run back up in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Holland.
Utah pulled within two at 6-4 with two tallies in the sixth. Tia Palauni hit a solo shot to left. Sharee Fonoti reached on a dropped pop up and managed to make her way around the bases and score off a single by Hemigway.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Rebels racked up eight runs on seven hits and got a little help from a Utah error. UNLV bookended the eight runs with two three-run home runs. Kendall Fearn hit the first, while Farley had the second. In between the homers were two RBI-singles provided by Fata and Laura Briones.
Stephanie Bregante improved to 10-6 on the year with her 6.0 innings of work. Bregante allowed four runs, three earned, on eight hits. She fanned seven batters and walked two.
Joni Cook lasted 5.1 innings in the circle for Utah and was stuck with the loss, as she fell to 4-10 on the year. Cook was responsible for 12 runs, 11 earned, on 14 hits. She struck out two and walked two.
Ashley Smuda relieved Cook in the sixth and was just as unlucky. Smuda allowed two runs on two hits.
The two teams return to Eller Media Stadium for a Saturday affair at 1:00 pm. The day is billed as "Senior Day", as UNLV will recognize its two seniors (Bolinger and Brittany Meade) in their final home game.
