March 14, 2014
Box Score
FULLERTON, Calif. (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV softball team kept up its winning ways in Southern California with a 6-1 victory over the DePaul Blue Demons Friday at the Titan Classic held at Anderson Family Field in Fullerton, Calif. The Rebels got two RBI apiece from Pauline Monreal and Samantha Juarez to pace the offense while Amanda Oliveto (4-8) tossed a one-hitter in a complete-game effort to extend their winning streak to two.
With the win, UNLV improved to 9-14 on the year as DePaul, who is receiving votes in both top 25 polls, drops to 14-5.
The Scarlet & Gray jumped on the board early with two runs in the second inning and never looked back behind a bit of wildness from the Blue Demons defensively and in the circle. Monreal got the offensive going when she reached safely on a throwing error by DePaul second baseman Gena Lenti before moving base to base after a passed ball and a wild pitch. Tayler Van Acker, who was at the plate when Monreal moseyed around the bases, took first with a walk. Both runners made their way home a bit later off RBI singles by Jamie DePippo and Garie Blando.
UNLV upped its lead to three runs when Monreal cranked a double off the wall in center field to score Valentino from first after she led off the stanza with a single.
DePaul got its lone tally in the fifth when Dylan Christensen went yard with a solo home run that ricocheted off the foul pole down the left-field line. Christensen's hit was the first and only one allowed by Oliveto in the contest.
The Rebels added three insurance scores in the sixth off a two-run homer from Samantha Juarez and Monreal's second RBI single of the day. Emily Haslinger led off the inning with a single before she advanced to second off a sac bunt by Alyssa Cordova. Jaurez then followed with her blast to left-center. After the second out had been recorded, Francesca Foti and Valentino were walked moments before Monreal hit a hard liner down the first-base line.
Oliveto picked up the win behind her fourth career 10-strikeout performance. She allowed only one run off of one hit while issuing one walk.
DePaul's Mary Connolly (1-2) was saddled with the loss after she was touched for six runs (four earned) off of six hits. Connolly struck out three, but walked three, as well.
UNLV will return to Anderson Family Field for a 6:00 pm Friday night tussle with the host Titans of Cal State Fullerton.
NOTES: Monreal moved up in UNLV's career record book in RBI (seventh: 122) and doubles (ninth: 33).
