March 26, 2011
Final Stats
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV Rebels (15-12) lost an 8-4, rain-shortened decision to the #15/16 Oregon Ducks (28-4) Saturday afternoon in the Mustang Classic at a soggy Bob Janssen Field in San Luis Obispo, Calif. UNLV had rallied in the top of the fifth to even the game at 4-all before Oregon scored four times in its at-bat to take an 8-4 lead. The game was officially called without hesitation by the umpires following a one-out, three-run double by UO's Lindsey Chambers.
After watching Oregon take a 4-0 lead through four frames, UNLV fought back to tie the game with help from four hits, two of which went down as home runs. Ashli Holland began the stanza with a solo shot to left, her second in as many games. Paige Emerson followed with a single to left to keep the offense revving. Tayler Van Acker then stepped up and hit a dribbler up the third-base line that she appeared to beat out safely, but the first base umpire thought otherwise. Emerson moved up on Van Acker's grounder and then scored when Kylie Wagner hit a low line drive over the fence in right with two out to pull the Rebels within one at 4-3. Pauline Monreal then reached on an errant throw by UO shortstop Kelsey Chambers and moved to second on a wild pitch uncorked by Jessica Moore, who later hit Jaexie Balilea for the second time in the game.
With runners on first and second, the Ducks summoned Brittany Rumfelt (4-0) from the bullpen. Rumfelt was rudely welcomed to the game by an RBI-single through the right side by Heather Harrison.
The Ducks swung the game back in their favor with back-to-back hits from Monique Fuiava and Kelsey Chambers. Fuiava began the lower half of the fifth with a single to right and then motored around the bases on a double down the left-field line by Chambers. Christie Nieto and Alexa Peterson joined Chambers on the bases after a single and hit-by-pitch, respectively, prior to Lindsey Chambers' bases-clearing double.
Oregon staked itself to a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning with help from a bit of wildness from UNLV hurler Amanda Oliveto (12-5) and the umpires. After recording the first out of the inning, Oliveto plunked Allie Burger with an offering to jump start the Ducks' offense, however, it appeared that she swung at the pitch, which should have been called strike three. The umpires disagreed with the assessment and allowed Burger to take first base. Oliveto then walked three straight batters, including Kelsey Chambers with the bases juiced to allow Burger to score the game's first score.
Rumfelt picked up the win in the game in only one-third of an inning of work. She allowed one hit and struck out one.
Moore earned a no-decision after UNLV touched her for four runs (three earned) off of five hits. She struck out six against three walks.
Oliveto struck out nine in the loss. She surrendered eight runs (five earned) off of six hits and six walks.
UNLV's game against Cal Poly Saturday afternoon was postponed until Sunday and tentatively scheduled for 12:30 pm. The Rebels' contest vs. Fairfield Sunday has been nixed from the tournament lineup.
