Box Score
April 21, 2017
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV softball team (22-19 overall, 5-8 Mountain West) scored six runs between the first and second innings, but had to hang on for a dramatic 7-6 victory over conference opponent Colorado State (22-16, 7-9) Friday afternoon at Ram Field.
The Rebel bats in the first inning have always been a spark this season. Mara Kemmer laced a double to right-center field off of Ram starter Bridgette Hutton to open the contest. After a walk from Brianna Gatlin and Janine Petmecky, Alyssa Navarro smacked a grand slam to center field, her sixth home run of the season.
In the second inning, the speedy Jadelyn Yadao-Valdez reached first base on an infield single and Kemmer reached base on an error by third baseman Corina Gamboa allowing Yadao-Valdez to score the fifth run of the game. Gatlin singled to right field driving home Kemmer to make it 6-0.
The Rams answered back with three runs of their own in the second. Bridgette Hutton got things started with a fielding error by Gatlin that put her at third base. After a sacrifice fly by Lauren Buchanan and two singles by the Rams, Hale Hutton singled to right field, which allowed Madison Kilcrease to smack a two-RBI double to left field cutting UNLV's lead in half.
After a scoreless third inning for UNLV, CSU answered with a solo home run from Hannah McCorkhill off of reliever Breana Burke making it a 6-4 game. The fifth inning turned out to be a nail-bitter for the Scarlet & Gray as Buchanan notched a two-run home run off of Burke bringing Taryn Arcarese home as well to trim the deficit to just one run, 7-6. UNLV had added one more run in the fourth inning with an RBI double from Navarro for her 5th RBI of the game.
In the sixth inning, the Rams were able to get runners in scoring position with one out against Burke. Hale Hutton stepped up and hit a single to second base, however, Burke escaped the inning with a fly out to Petmecky and a groundout to Burke. Burke closed it out retiring the side giving the Rebels a close, but decisive win.
Burke (3-1) relieved Morgan Ettinger in the third inning and picked up the victory for UNLV in five innings giving up three runs on one strikeout. Ettinger, who struck out two against one walk, gave up three hits on three runs (one unearned).
Colorado State's Hutton (6-8) was saddled with the loss as she was touched for 1.1 innings off of five hits, six runs (four earned), walked two and fanned two.
UNLV will look for their first MW series victory of the season when they resume play against CSU Saturday at 11:00 pm PT at Ram Field.
