Softball 3/29/2017 12:00:00 AM

Late Home Run Lifts Rebels to Victory

March 29, 2017

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV Softball finished out its non-conference home slate Wednesday with a 3-2 victory over Dixie State thanks to a late home run by junior Alyssa Navarro. Dixie State entered the game ranked 20th in the NCAA Division II Softball rankings with a 30-8 record and went toe-to-toe with the Rebels in the first-ever meeting between the two programs. The Rebels' overall record improved to 19-13 overall with the win.

The Scarlet & Gray used a trio of freshmen in the circle to hold Dixie's State's potent offense -- who came in hitting over .350 -- to just two runs. Mara Kemmer got the start in the circle, pitching 1.1 innings and giving up one run before Charlie Masterson relieved her in the top of the second. Masterson went all to pitch 3.2 scoreless innings before giving way to Breana Burke, who earned the six-out save -- the first-ever of her career. After getting rattled with a six-spot in one inning at Utah State two weeks ago, Burke has been impressive for UNLV, giving up just one run over her last 10.0 innings pitched while collecting her first collegiate win and save in the last three games. Masterson was credited with the win - her second of the year.

Fast starts and scoring first have been key for the Rebels in 2017 and that was again the case Wednesday. The Rebels used two hits and took advantage of a Dixie State error to jump out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Brianna Gatlin spurred the action with a one-out single, then advanced to second when Janine Petmecky's fielder's choice allowed both of them to reach second and first base safely. Navarro was hit by a pitch to the load the bases, which was followed by a Kiley Harrison walk that brought in run number one. With the bases still loaded and two outs, Myranda Bueno hit a sharp shot at the Trailblazer shortstop, who bobbled the ball just long enough to allow all the runners to move up a base, including sending Petmecky across home plate for the 2-0 lead.

Dixie State got run one back in the top half of the next inning after a hit by pitch, a double and back-to-back singles, cutting the UNLV lead to 2-1. That's where the score would remain for the next two and a half innings, until Navarro's late-game heroics in the bottom of the fifth. With two outs on the board and the Rebels looking for some breathing room, Navarro stepped up to the plate and fouled off the first two pitches of the at bat. She timed the third pitch just right, blasting it out over the left field wall for her team-leading third home run of the season.

The homer proved to be huge as Dixie State responded with a run in the top of the sixth to close the gap to 3-2 after Burke walked the leadoff hitter, who eventually came around to score on a passed ball and a single. Needing three outs to secure the victory in the top of the seventh, the Rebels saw two stellar plays in the outfield, one by Bueno for the first out and one by Petmecky for the second out, to shut down any chance of a Trailblazer rally.

With their conference bye week scheduled for this weekend, the Rebels will wrap up their non-conference slate for 2017 with a pair of contests at Oregon State in Corvallis, Ore., April 1 and 2. Saturday's game is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. and Sunday's first pitch is set for 12 p.m.

-UNLV-

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#0 Breana Burke: P/OF; 5' 4"; Freshman; HS

#4 Brianna Gatlin: SS; 5' 9"; Senior; TR

#11 Kiley Harrison: C/IN; 5' 8"; Sophomore; TR

#32 Mara Kemmer: P; 5' 7"; Freshman; HS

#12 Charlie Masterson: P/IN; 5' 8"; Freshman; HS

#5 Alyssa Navarro: IN; 5' 5"; Junior; TR

#55 Myranda Bueno: OF; 5' 6"; Freshman; HS

#45 Janine Petmecky: P/OF; 5' 5"; Freshman; HS

Players Mentioned

#0 Breana Burke
: 5' 4"; Freshman; HS
: P/OF

#4 Brianna Gatlin
: 5' 9"; Senior; TR
: SS

#11 Kiley Harrison
: 5' 8"; Sophomore; TR
: C/IN

#32 Mara Kemmer
: 5' 7"; Freshman; HS
: P

#12 Charlie Masterson
: 5' 8"; Freshman; HS
: P/IN

#5 Alyssa Navarro
: 5' 5"; Junior; TR
: IN

#55 Myranda Bueno
: 5' 6"; Freshman; HS
: OF

#45 Janine Petmecky
: 5' 5"; Freshman; HS
: P/OF