Feb. 27, 2011

Final Stats

RIVERSIDE, Calif. - The UNLV Rebels (7-6) defeated the UC Riverside Highlanders (3-10), 10-2, in the final game of the Amy S. Harrison Classic Sunday afternoon in Riverside, Calif. UNLV got a strong pitching effort from Jessica O'Connor, while the offense scattered 14 hits for 10 runs at Amy S. Harrison Field.

In the circle, O'Connor notched her first win of the season and improved to 1-4 in 2011. She threw 4.2 innings and allowed two runs on three hits. She struck out five and walked one.

The Rebels were led offensively by five players that scattered multiple-hits on the day. Paige Emerson and Stefany Valentino each tallied three base-knocks, while Ashli Holland, Pauline Monreal and Korin Cuico all had two apiece.

UNLV went up 2-0 in the second when Cuico and Valentino scattered RBI-singles in the inning. Holland led off the frame with a double to left and then came around when Cuico hit Casey Suda's (0-2) offering back up the middle. Cuico moved to second on the continuation of the play and took third on a fly out by Rayna Bradshaw. Cuico scored the second run of the inning when Valentino dropped a single into left field.

The Rebels increased their lead to 3-0 off an RBI-single from Monreal in the third. Holland easily scored from third on Monreal's run-scoring base-hit to right. Holland initially reached on a fielder's choice and then settled at third when she stole second and an errant throw by UCR catcher Samantha Noddin went into center field.

The score ballooned to 7-0 in the fifth after a four-spot was put on the scoreboard. Monreal stepped to the plate with the bases juiced and laced a two-run double to right-center to increase the lead to 5-0 and forced UCR to summon Jordyn McDonald from the bullpen. McDonald was rudely greeted by a suicide-squeeze bunt-single put down by Cuico. Holland scored with ease from third, while Monreal came around from second when McDonald threw wildly to the backstop.

UCR cut its deficit to five runs when they plated two runners in the bottom of the fifth. Alexis Villamor and Kayla White were responsible for the pair of runs thanks to a sacrifice fly and an RBI-double, respectively. White's double ended O'Connor's day in the circle and saw Amanda Oliveto enter in relief.

UNLV scored three times with two out in the seventh to increase its lead to 10-2. Heather got things going with a home run to deep center. Valentino and Emerson followed with back-to-back doubles. Valentino scored on Emerson's two-base hit. Emerson then watched McDonald walk to straight to load up the bases before scoring on an error by Brittany Keeney at third on a grounder hit by Holland.

Oliveto threw the final 2.1 frames of relief for UNLV and did not give up any runs. She struck out one, walked one and gave up one hit.

Suda was saddled with the loss in 4.1 innings. She was touched for seven runs (five earned) on seven hits. She walked one and struck out one.

McDonald allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits. She struck out two and walked two.

Note: Ashli Holland moved up in two of UNLV's career offensive charts this weekend, as she now ranks eighth in doubles (36) and ninth in runs (108).

UNLV returns to action next week in the Eller Media Stadium Classic (March 4-6). The Rebels will face San Diego (3:45 pm) and Troy (6:00 pm) on March 4 to open their five-game slate. Bradley, Kansas and San Jose State will also participate in the three-day tournament.