March 28, 2014
Box Score
SAN JOSE, Calif. (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV softball team improved to 14-18 on the year and 4-0 in the Mountain West with its 6-4, come-from-behind win in 12 innings against the San José State Spartans (17-14, 1-0 MW) in San Jose, Calif. Trailing by two runs and down to their final at-bat, the Rebels got a two-run double with two out from Pauline Monreal in the seventh to force extra innings at SJSU Field. After four scoreless frames had passed, the Scarlet & Gray strung together four singles in the 12th before it scored twice off of a groundout and a wild pitch, respectively.
The win extends UNLV's season-best winning streak to four games, and with all four triumphs occurring in conference play, it matches the best start in MW competition since the 2007 edition did so.
The Rebels opened up the affair with a quick 1-0 lead off a sacrifice fly by Stefany Valentino. Garie Blando scored on the fly ball after beginning the game with a walk and then advancing to third after a sac bunt and a passed ball, respectively.
SJSU countered with two runs of its own in the bottom of the first when Sharon-Rena Estrada recorded a two-run single after the team had loaded the bases against Amanda Oliveto (7-10).
UNLV evened up the contest in the second with the assistance of a wild pitch and two fielding miscues by shortstop Alyssa Martinez. Tayler Van Acker led off the inning with a single before a wild pitch pushed her to second. The back-to-back errors committed by Martinez allowed her to take third and then home in succession.
The Spartans juiced the bags, once again, in the third and was able to regain the lead when UNLV's defense became suspect. Two fielding errors and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases before Martinez rebounded with a groundout to second that brought a runner home. They upped the lead to two runs, 4-2, when one - Jessie Meyer - crossed the plate off a fielder's choice.
In the seventh, Madison Fish was able to get the first two batters she faced to fly out and popup before Samantha Juarez and Valentino were able to keep the inning alive with consecutive singles. Monreal then delivered the big hit to knot the score at 4-all.
In extras, both squads were able to get runners on base, but neither was able to score. The Spartans managed to load the bases in the ninth, but Oliveto drew a 1-2-3 double play and another groundout to quell the threat. An inning later, they put runners on the corner to no avail.
Finally, the game was decided in the 12th. Juarez led off with a bunt single and was able to advance to second when a throw went out of play. Valentino then hit a single to left to force a play at the plate, but Juarez was thrown out on an 8-5-2 relay. The out at the plate didn't deter the Rebels, as Monreal and Van Acker scattered two straight singles to put three runners on base. Francesca Foti then hit a grounder to second to plate Valentino and give her team a one-run lead, 5-4. After taking third on Foti's out, Monreal scored with ease when a pitch by Katelyn Linford (6-8) - that struck out Jaexie Balilea - went in the dirt and got past her catcher.
The Rebels were paced offensively by their one-through-five batters, as the quintet combined for 12 of the team's 15 hits, which tied for the season high. Juarez, Monreal and Van Acker had three hits apiece while Valentino had two to Blando's one. Emily Haslinger, who was hitting in the eight spot, had two hits.
Oliveto was the only pitcher to toe the rubber for UNLV in the game. She went all 12 innings and picked up her seventh win of the year after she allowed four runs (two earned) off of five hits and two walks. She struck out nine, as well.
Linford was tagged with the loss in three frames of relief. She surrendered two runs and seven hits.
Allison Lang got the start for SJSU, but only lasted two innings after she gave up two unearned runs and three walks. Fish tossed seven stanzas and was touched for two runs and seven hits.
The Rebels and Spartans are scheduled to play game two of the conference series Saturday at 1:00 pm at SJSU Field.
NOTES: With help from statistics from Friday's game, Monreal moved into a tie for ninth place in doubles (35) while Oliveto moved into third in innings pitched (741.1) and into a tie for fifth in wins (59) ... The last time UNLV played a 12-inning game was on April 20, 2013 - a 5-4 loss at Cal State Fullerton.
