March 1, 2014
Box Score
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV softball team mounted a rally in the bottom of the seventh inning against the New Mexico State Aggies, but came up short in a 5-4 loss in Saturday's final game of the Eller Media Stadium Classic. The Rebels managed to get two runs in their final at-bat to pull within one, but wound up leaving the potential game-tying and game-winning runs in scoring position when the final out of the game was recorded. With the win, NMSU improved to 13-6 on the year, while UNLV's record drops to 5-10.
The contest began as a pitcher's duel through the first three frames of play with only one runner reaching base safely - an Aggie off a first-inning walk.
The game turned in the fourth when the teams began alternating offensive production.
NMSU got things going with a one-out solo home run by Staci Rodriguez to kick off a three-run fourth inning. Four batters after Rodriguez's hit, Haley Nakamura delivered a two-run triple to center to extend the lead to three.
UNLV answered back in the fifth with two tallies of its own. Karysta Donisthorpe began the stanza by walking Alyssa Cordova, who was then pinch run for by Jaexie Balilea, and then Jamie DePippo to put runners at first and second. Samantha Juarez followed with the Rebels' first hit of the game - a bunt single. Donisthorpe fielded the ball, but wasn't able to connect with her second baseman for the out. Her throw went wildly into right-field foul ground and allowed Balilea to score from second and DePippo to take third. After Juarez swiped second base, Stefany Valentino hit a sacrifice fly to deep center to plate DePippo and cut the deficit to a run.
The Aggies got both of those runs back quickly in the sixth off a two-run home run just after a pitching change. Amanda Oliveto (2-7), who got the start for the Rebels, opened the inning by walking Rodriguez before giving way to Morgan Ettinger. Unfortunately, Fiana Finau - the first batter after the switch - got the best of Ettinger in a seven-pitch at-bat with a two-run homer.
Moments after Emily Haslinger and Tayler Van Acker teamed up for a "strike `em out, throw `em out" double play to give the Rebels some momentum going into the bottom of the seventh, the Scarlet & Gray awoke.
Garie Blando began the at-bat with a solo shot to center to pull the team within two at 5-3. DePippo then hit a double to the gap in right-center that wound up forcing NMSU to go to the bullpen and bring in reliever Celisha Walker. Juarez welcomed Walker to the game with a bunt single and a quick steal of second - her second of the game - to put runners in scoring position. After the first out of the inning had been recorded, Francesca Foti was called upon as a pinch-hitter and quickly deposited an RBI single into left. With Juarez at third, Emilie Valadez reentered the game to run for Foti and stole second.
Sadly, UNLV's luck would run out, as Walker was able to get Tayler Van Acker to hit into a fielder's choice that resulted in a put out at home before she got a strikeout to end the contest.
Donisthorpe picked up the win in six innings of work. She struck out five against four walks, but gave up four runs (three earned) off of three hits.
Walker was touched for two hits, but struck out one en route to earning her second save of the year.
Oliveto was saddled with the loss in five frames in the circle. She surrendered four runs off of two hits, while striking out four against three walks.
Ettinger went two innings and gave up one run off of two hits with one walk and one strikeout.
The Rebels return to play twice on Sunday with a 1:30 pm affair against Weber State followed afterwards by a 3:45 pm tilt with Seton Hall.
NOTES: Oliveto recorded her 100th career start in the circle as a Rebel Saturday ... She became only the fourth to don the Scarlet & Gray to achieve the feat behind Jacque Kerrigan 134 (2002-05), Lori Harrigan 133 (1989-02) and Nicole Truax 101 (1999-02) ... Van Acker increased her lead in UNLV's career hit-by-pitch category with another plunking Saturday ... Van Acker has been hit 28 times.
