Box Score

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV Rebels (15-19 overall, 1-5 Mountain West) were hampered by a couple of defensive miscues in Sunday's 2-1 loss to the New Mexico Lobos (20-15, 4-2). With the victory, UNM claimed the three-game Mountain West softball series, two games to one.

Runs were at a premium in Sunday's finale and both of UNM's scores were a result of two throwing errors. In the first inning, the Lobos were handed an early one-run lead when Garie Blando errantly threw to first base after fielding Chelsea Johnson's grounder with runners on first and second. Jasmine Casados, who had initially reached via a fielder's choice, scored on the play.

Blando rebounded from her mishap in the home half of the first with home run - her third of the series - to center field off of UNM's Krissy Fortner (6-3).

The contest remained knotted at one run apiece until the fifth when UNM was helped out by another Rebel folly. Brandi Heimburg, who led off the stanza with a hit-by-pitch, made her way around the bases off a sac bunt by Michala Erickson and a single by Casados. Alyssa Cordova fielded the base hit at second, but the subsequent throw was wide of first baseman Emily Haslinger's reach and it allowed Heimburg to score the go-ahead run.

The Rebels attempted to answer back in the bottom of the sixth, but the would-be game-tying run was left at third when the inning came to a close. Haslinger got the frame started with a one-out single before giving way to pinch runner Lexie McKinnon. A deep fly out down the left-field line by Francesca Foti allowed McKinnon to tag up and take second base with ease. A wild pitch uncorked by UNM reliever Lisa Rodrigues allowed her to take third moments before a groundout ended the threat.

The Lobo hurlers combined to allow one run off of four hits. Fortner earned the win in four innings of work, while Rodrigues was credited with a save in three frames of relief.

Ettinger was tagged with the loss after throwing a complete game. She struck out three against three walks. Unfortunately, both runs against her were of the unearned variety.

UNLV heads back on the road for a three-game set against the Utah State Aggies in Logan, Utah next week. The Rebels and Aggies will open up action Thursday, April 2 at 3:00 pm MT (2:00 pm PT) with games two and three scheduled for 3:00 pm (2:00 pm PT) Friday and 12:00 pm (11:00 am) Saturday.

The Scarlet & Gray returns to Las Vegas for a midweek series against the Boise State Broncos April 7-8 at Eller Media Stadium.