March 6, 2016 Box Score
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV softball lost to Saint Mary's at home 4-3 in the UNLV Classic on Sunday evening at Eller Media Stadium. The Rebels fall to 10-10 while the Gaels improve to 5-7.
Down 4-2 in the seventh inning, Chrissi Omalza sparked the Rebels' comeback attempt with a solo home run to right center with one out for her first collegiate homer. UNLV however wasn't able to get the game-tying run on base and ended the game with a popup and line out in the infield.
Saint Mary's took the lead in the sixth inning, scoring two runs after the game was tied 2-2. The Gaels took advantage of two straight fielding errors to start the inning and knocked in both baserunners a single to right field.
The Gaels had jumped to a two-run lead after the top of the fourth inning. Once again UNLV errors allowed the Gaels to knock in a run in both the third and fourth inning.
UNLV tied the game up in the bottom of the fourth inning. Janine Petmecky singled through the left side to lead off the inning, but two straight fielder's choices put two outs on the board and Kwyn Cooper on first base. Francesca Foti hit her second RBI-triple of the weekend to knock in Cooper to score the first UNLV run of the game. The Rebels were then able to benefit off an error when the second baseman dropped the ball on a grounder to allow Foti to get home safely for the tying run.
Cooper picked up the loss as the starting pitcher for UNLV, allowing two hits, four runs (all unearned), and one walk with one strikeout in five innings pitched. Alyssa Batastini relieved Cooper in the sixth inning and pitched two scoreless innings with two hits and no walks allowed and one strikeout. Batastini pitched back-to-back relief appearances without allowing a run this weekend and hasn't given up an earned run in four straight appearances.
The Rebels will host their fourth and final tournament of the season next weekend, the Rebel Classic. UNLV will face DePaul in the opener on Thursday at 6:00 p.m.
