March 1, 2011

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV Rebels swept the Mountain West Conference's weekly softball honors with Pauline Monreal and Amanda Oliveto being named Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, after their performances for the week of Feb. 21-27. It is the first weekly honor for both UNLV freshmen. The Rebels went 3-1 last week with a midweek win over Southern Utah followed by a 2-1 record at the Amy S. Harrison Classic in Riverside, Calif.

Monreal started all four contests in left field and hit .455 over the four-game span, including a .556 effort at the Amy S. Harrison Classic hosted by UC Riverside. Overall, she scattered five hits, two of which went for extra bases, knocked in seven RBI and scored four runs. She opened up the Classic going 1-for-1 with three walks, two RBI and two runs scored in a 9-0 win against Boise State. She followed that performance with a 2-for-4 effort in a 4-3 loss to Cal State Northridge, which saw her hit a home run and knock in two runners. She closed out the Classic with another 2-for-4 outing in a 10-2 win against host UC Riverside. She had three RBI, a double and a run scored.

Oliveto made four appearances in the circle last week and threw a total of 17.1 innings with two starts. She did not allow an earned run while collecting 16 strikeouts and earning two wins. She started the week with a 4-3 win over Southern Utah. She threw a complete game against the Thunderbirds and struck out eight. She began the Classic with a seven-inning, 9-0 win against Boise State. She struck out seven and allowed only three hits in her second win of the week. She threw a combined 3.1 innings against Cal State Northridge and UC Riverside in a relief role and only allowed two hits.