Box Score: UNLV 2, UTEP 0

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV softball team (5-3) notched its second straight win at its own Wilson/DeMarini Desert Classic with a 2-0 shutout of the UTEP Miners (2-8) Sunday at Eller Media Stadium. The Rebels were paced by a complete-game, four-hit effort from Kwyn Cooper (3-2) in the circle and a pair of RBI from Emily Haslinger.

UNLV struck early with the would-be game-winning run in the bottom of the first off Haslinger's bat. Garie Blando got the home half of the first started with a walk before she moved into scoring position off a Fahren Glackin's sacrifice bunt. Moments after UTEP's Kaitlin Fifield recorded the first out, Haslinger came through with a double to center.

The contest remained a 1-0 affair until the fifth when Glackin and Haslinger factored into the scoring, once again. The former began the frame with a double to left before Merina Ili and Haslinger strung together back-to-back groundouts - the last of which resulted in a run.

Cooper, who struck out five against one walk, held the Miners in check throughout the contest. UTEP was only able to get six runners on the bases with four coming off hits and one apiece off an error and a walk. More impressively, Cooper was able to limit four of them from going any further than first base.

Fifield (1-3) was tagged with the loss in six innings of work. She gave up seven two runs on seven hits and four walks, but struck out six.

UNLV will play once more Monday in the finale of the Wilson/DeMarini Desert Classic. The Rebels and Utah Utes will square off at 10:00 am in a tilt between original Mountain West members.