May 13, 2014

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - For the third time in a four-week span, the UNLV softball program had one of its own earn the Mountain West's Player of the Week award. Garie Blando, who previously was tabbed to the weekly honor on April 29, was chosen for the second time this season after helping the Rebels to a season-ending sweep of Utah State last weekend.

Blando, a sophomore from Chino Hills, Calif., led the team with her .667 batting average as well as six hits, two doubles, four runs, eight total bases, .667 on-base percentage and two steals.

In Thursday's 6-1 win, she led off the game with a single that kick started a five-run first inning. She scattered two more hits in a 3-for-4 day at the plate. In Friday's 2-1 victory, she had a fifth-inning sacrifice bunt that set up the would-be game-winning run when the runner was moved to third base. In Saturday's 8-0 triumph, she went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles. She led off the game with a single and came around to score the game-winner. She also scored after reaching on both doubles in the third and fourth frames.

With the addition of her second player of the week nod, Blando becomes the first Rebel to earn multiple citations since Jaci Hull was chosen three times in 2007.