March 16, 2011
Final Stats
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV Rebels (14-10) suffered a 9-6 loss to the Western Illinois Leathernecks (6-10) Wednesday afternoon at Eller Media Stadium. UNLV fell behind early and often, but rallied back twice to pull even with WIU. Unfortunately, the Leathernecks scored three times in the seventh to distance themselves from the Rebels, who could not muster a third rally attempt in the final frame.
WIU made the most of its opportunities in the game, as they only left five runners on the bases throughout the contest. They were able to capitalize all four times its lead-off batter reached base safely to start an inning.
The Leathernecks struck first with a run in the opening stanza off a sacrifice fly by Nikki Marinec. Briana Williams, who led off the game by getting hit by a pitch, easily tagged from third to score on Marinec's fly out.
The lead grew to 4-0 early in the second after WIU got an RBI-double from Kelsey Michelini and a two-run single by Colleen Biebel. Michellini's double ended Kylie Wagner's day in the circle for UNLV and summoned Amanda Oliveto from the bullpen. Oliveto quickly got the first two batters she faced to strike out before giving up the single to Biebel.
UNLV rallied back over three innings to knot the game at 4-all with three tallies in the second and one in the fourth. Stefany Valentino delivered a three-run home run to left-center off Michelini to bring the Rebels within one at 4-3. Rayna Bradshaw and Paige Emerson scored on the dinger after initially reaching on a single and a fielding error, respectively.
The Rebels fourth run came in the fourth off an RBI-single by Tayler Aleman. Valentino came around from second on Aleman's hit after reaching via walk and taking second on a single by Ashli Holland.
Both teams scored twice in the fifth. WIU used run-scoring doubles by Beth Golitko and Jamie Goss for a quick two-run lead before UNLV countered with back-to-back RBI-singles from Heather Harrison and Paige Emerson. Both of UNLV's runs came following a pitching change by WIU that brought Ashley Campbell (4-3) into the contest.
WIU struck for three runs off of three hits and got some help from a fielding error to stake itself to a three-run cushion. Williams led off the stanza with a dink single to Oliveto and quickly stole second for the third time on the day. Golitko then joined Williams on the base path after a double to center. They both moved up a base when Oliveto uncorked a wild pitch. Golitko then came in on a fielder's choice ball put in play by Marinec to short. Erin Schlotfeldt added an insurance run later on with an RBI-single.
Campbell picked up the win in three innings of relief for WIU. She did not give up any runs, but allowed four hits to two strikeouts.
Oliveto was saddled with her fourth loss of the year, as she threw six innings of relief. She was touched for five runs on seven hits. She struck out seven against two walks.
UNLV returns to action Friday afternoon with a pair of games at Stanford's Louisville Slugger Invitational. The Rebels will face Iowa State first at 1:30 pm followed by a 3:45 pm tilt with Northwestern.
Notes: Holland moved into seventh-place tie for doubles in UNLV's career record book, as she has 39 to tie Cyndi Paus (1992-95) ... Aleman extended her hitting streak to seven games with the last three contests going down as multiple-hit affairs ... Aleman began the 2011 campaign with a seven-game hitting streak.
