March 14, 2014
Box Score
FULLERTON, Calif. (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV softball team suffered a 12-4, six-inning decision to the Cal State Fullerton Titans Friday at the Titan Classic held at Anderson Family Field in Fullerton, Calif. The Rebels (9-15) jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in their first at-bat only to see the Titans (17-10) answer with four of their own in the bottom half of the first and eight more in the subsequent innings.
UNLV opened up the action with a two-out outburst in the first with five straight batters reaching base safely against Fullerton's Jasmine Antunez. Stefany Valentino began the offensive with a walk before Pauline Monreal and Tayler Van Acker collected hits. Monreal's base knock went for a single and pushed Valentino to second. Van Acker's was a double to left center that plated Valentino and Monreal. Emily Haslinger was then issued a base on balls before Jaexie Balilea capped the scoring with an RBI single to left center.
The Titans used the long ball to counter the Rebels' first-inning production and turned a three-run deficit into a one-run advantage. Missy Taukeiaho and Eliza Crawford had solo shots in the frame before Melissa Sechrest smashed a two-run home run.
The Rebels pulled even at 4-all with a single score in the second off a pair of doubles. Valentino was credited with an RBI when her two-base hit plated Garie Blando from third after she had initially reached off a double and advanced to third off a sac bunt.
Unfortunately, Blando's run was the last produced by the Scarlet & Gray in the contest as the home team would score eight more between the third and sixth stanzas.
The Titan's Leesa Harris was the primary antagonist in that three-inning stretch as she was responsible for five of those eight RBI. Harris went 4-for-4 at the plate with three singles and a triple.
UNLV's pitching staff combined to allow 12 runs off of 12 hits. Ettinger (5-3) was stuck with the loss after giving up six runs off of eight hits and a walk in 2.2 innings of work. Oliveto also threw 2.2 innings, but gave up six runs (five earned) off four hits with two strikeouts against six walks.
Fullerton's Christin Washington (4-3) picked up the win in four innings of scoreless innings of relief against UNLV. Washington surrendered three hits and one walk to two strikeouts. Antunez was handed a no-decision after she only lasted two innings after giving up four runs off of five hits with two stikeouts and two walks.
The Rebels close out their stay Saturday at the Titan Classic with games against Texas Tech and Canisius at 12:00 pm and 2:30 pm, respectively.
