April 15, 2011
Final Stats
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV Rebels (21-15 overall, 3-2 MWC) scored nine unanswered runs Friday night in their 9-1, five-inning win over the Utah Utes (23-17, 1-1). Amanda Oliveto (18-7) held Utah's offense in-check and struck out seven, while her offense scattered 12 hits in the outing. The win was the sixth straight for UNLV in the head-to-head series with Utah and the fourth consecutive by the Rebels over the Utes in Las Vegas.
After two scoreless frames of action, the teams put a run each on the scoreboard. Utah's run was a result of a throwing error by Tayler Aleman at short on a grounder put in play by Chalese Fankhouser. Tara Glover scored on the errant throw from second after initially reaching on a fielder's choice and stealing second.
The Rebels manufactured their run off one base hit and two wild pitches uncorked by Naomi Amu (8-7). Bri Bernardi led off the inning with a single up the middle and quickly moved over to second on a sacrifice bunt placed by Jaexie Balilea. Amber Petersen was then brought into the game to run for Bernardi and promptly tied the contest up after the Amu's wildness.
UNLV added some breathing room between itself and Utah with a run in the fourth aided by three singles. Kylie Wagner and Tayler Van Acker got things going with consecutive one-out singles through the right side. Bernardi then stepped up after the second out had been recorded and delivered an RBI-single up the middle for the go-ahead score.
The home squad added three more runs in the fifth to push its lead to four runs at 5-1. Tayler Aleman delivered an RBI-double to get the offensive started after Paige Emerson and Ashli Holland had already reached off of singles. Emerson scored on Aleman's hit, while Holland touched the plate two batters later when Tayler Van Acker doubled to left-center. Korin Cuico, who was pinch-running for Aleman, joined Holland in the two-run hit by Van Acker. Aleman's at-bat ended Amu's day in the circle, while Van Acker's rudely greeted Generra Nielson to the contest in a relief role.
A four-run fifth inning put halt to the affair when the eight-run rule was enacted after Aleman smashed a Brittany Parker offering over the left-field fence. Bernardi began the stanza with a walk by Nelson and stole second before Emerson knocked her in with an RBI-single up the middle. Parker then entered the fray and surrendered a single to Stefany Valentino before she served up the gopher ball to Aleman.
Oliveto went the distance for the 19th time this season and picked up her 18th win. She allowed one run off of three hits, struck out seven and walked four.
Amu was stuck with the loss in 4.1 innings of work. She allowed five runs off of eight hits. She struck out six, but walked two.
Nielson and Parker combined to throw 1.1 innings of relief and gave up four runs off of four hits. Nielson did strike out two, but walked one, as well.
UNLV returns to action Saturday afternoon matinee at home against the Utah Utes. First pitch is slated for 1:00 pm.
