RENO, Nev. (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV Softball couldn't overcome an early two-run homer and another day of cold bats as the Rebels fell to the Wolf Pack 2-0 in the series opener at Hixson Field Thursday in Reno. The loss moves UNLV to 20-18 overall and 3-7 in conference play while their record in true road games fell to 2-6 on the year. The Rebels have also lost five of their last seven and have yet to win a conference series opener this spring.

Right-hander Morgan Ettinger made the 20th start of her senior campaign and despite giving up the two-run homer to the Wolf Pack in the first inning, had her best outing in the last month. After a two-hit first inning - including the home-run - she allowed just four hits over the next six innings en route to her career-high 12th complete game of the season. Unfortunately, with the Rebel offense not able to muster much at the plate, Ettinger was tagged with her ninth-straight loss to move her record to 12-11.

The Scarlet & Gray scattered five hits over seven innings on Wolf Pack starter McKenna Isenberg, but couldn't string together enough in the same inning to bring anyone across the plate. It was only the fourth shutout the Rebels have suffered all year.

The best scoring chance came in the top of the sixth when pinch hitter Chrissi Omalza was hit by a pitch, which was followed by a Mara Kemmer single that put two on with no outs. The next batter, Brianna Gatlin, grounded out to third base and lead runner Karly Bunderson, who had come back in for Omalza, tried to advance to third on the throw, but was tagged out at third for a double play. Janine Petmecky managed a two-out single, but Alyssa Navarro grounded out to leave two stranded at the end of the inning.

Petmecky went 2-for-3 to have the best day at the plate.

The Rebels will try to even the series on Friday in game two of the softball installment of the Governor's Series, presented by NV Energy and Barrick Gold, the head-to-head athletic and academic challenge between UNLV and UNR. If the Wolf Pack earn the win, they will capture three points towards their total for the 2016-17 academic year. Friday's first pitch is set for 4 p.m. at Hixson Field.

-UNLV-