Box Score

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV softball suffered an 8-4 defeat to Colorado State on Saturday afternoon at Eller Media Stadium. The Rebels drop to 23-28, 7-13 while the Rams improve to 21-24, 7-12.

Colorado State jumped out to an early lead with four runs in the top of the first inning, and it all started on a two-out double to right field with no one on base. Another double to center field knocked in the first run. After a wild pitch and walk, a single through the left side produced the second run. In the next at-bat the Rams scored their final two runs on a double to center field.

UNLV responded with two runs in the home half of the inning. Garie Blando led off with a solo home run to right field, her fifth of the year and 24th of her career. With one out Emily Haslinger singled up the middle. Francesca Foti reached on a fielder's choice on a fielding error at second base that allowed Haslinger to be safe. After Alyssa Cordova loaded the bases with a single up the middle, a sacrifice fly by Brooke Stover brought home Haslinger.

The Rebels added another run in the second inning. Madison Rogers drew a walk with one out and went to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Jadelyn Yadao-Valdez. Blando singled up the middle to knock in Rogers.

The game was tied up by UNLV in the third inning. Haslinger walked to begin the inning, and Courtney Beavers came in to pinch-run. Beavers stole second base and went to third on a single to right field by Cordova. Stover hit her second sacrifice fly of the game to right field to score Beavers.

It was all Colorado State from the fifth inning and on. A two RBI-single to right field in the fifth inning gave the Rams the lead for good. Another RBI-single to left field in the sixth inning pushed the Rams' lead to three runs, and a two-out triple to right field in the seventh inning scored the last run of the game.

UNLV had the game-tying run up at the plate in the seventh inning but couldn't take advantage. Rogers led off with a double to right field. With two outs DePippo and Haslinger both drew walks, but Francesca Foti grounded out to the first baseman to end the game.

Alyssa Batastini started for the second time this year, but was replaced by Janine Petmecky to begin the second inning after allowing five hits, four runs and one walk. Petmecky completed the rest of the game in the circle and surrendered 10 hits, four runs and two walks with two strikeouts.

Blando went 2-4 with a run and two RBI while Cordova was the only other Rebel to record two hits in the game. Blando is now sixth all-time in UNLV history with 143 career runs.

UNLV faces Colorado State in the series finale tomorrow at 12:00 p.m. Tomorrow will be "Senior Day" as all five UNLV seniors- Blando, Cordova, DePippo, Haslinger and Foti- will be honored before the game.