Feb. 17, 2011
Final Stats
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV Rebels (2-3) suffered a 9-6 loss to their in-state rival the Nevada, Reno Wolf Pack (2-4) Thursday night on the first day of the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic. The Wolf Pack jumped out to an insurmountable 9-1 lead through 2.5 frames of action, but saw a feisty Rebel squad score five unanswered to pull within striking distance down the stretch.
UNLV's offense was led by Ashli Holland and her 3-for-4 performance. Holland notched three RBI and scored two runs, as well.
The Wolf Pack jumped out to an early 4-0 lead before the Rebels had even stepped up to bat. UNR got a three-run home run from Danielle Patrick. The round-tripped plated Karley Hopkins and Caylin Campbell after the duo reached on consecutive singles to open up the game. Britton Murdock scored the fourth run of the inning after initially reaching when she was hit by a Jessica O'Connor (0-2) offering. Murdock made her way around the bases after stealing second, taking third on a wild pitch and then scoring on a fielder's choice.
The Rebels got one run back in their half of the first on a sacrifice fly by Tayler Aleman. Holland scored on the fly out after leading off the first with a double and taking third on a single by Paige Emerson.
UNR added four more runs in the second to increase its lead to seven at 8-1. A two-run home run by Lauren Lastrapes highlighted the frame and also ended O'Connor's day in the circle.
After the Wolf Pack scored its ninth and final run in the top of the third, UNLV mounted its comeback attempt. The Rebels countered with a run of their own in the bottom half. Stefany Valentino scored her first of three runs in the game with help from an RBi-double off Aleman's bat. Valentino had reached base safely on a single of her own and moved into scoring position on a fielding error.
UNLV added two more tallies in the fourth with help from Valentino and Holland. The former got the offensive going with a two-out walk before the latter smashed a two-run home run to left-center to pull UNLV within five at 9-4.
The Rebels added two more runs with one tally apiece in the fifth and sixth innings. Pauline Monreal recorded an RBI on a ground out in the fifth, while Holland picked up her third RBI with a single to left.
Mallary Darby notched the win for the Wolf Pack in 4.0 innings of work. Darby was touched for five runs (four earned) on five hits. She struck out six and walked three.
Bailey Brewer picked up a save in 3.0 innings of relief. Brewer only surrendered one run on two hits, while striking out two and walking three.
O'Connor was touched for the loss, as she gave up seven runs on six hits in 1.2 innings.
Kylie Wagner threw 4.2 innings of quality relief. Wagner allowed two runs on four hits. She also struck out three and walked three.
Amanda Oliveto made her fifth appearance of the season when she recorded the final two outs in the seventh.
UNLV is back in action Friday afternoon with back-to-back games against Arkansas (3:45 pm) and Utah State (6:00 pm) at Eller Media Stadium.
Note: Tayler Aleman extended her hitting streak to five games to start the 2011 campaign. Coincidentally, she started 2010 with a seven-game streak.
