LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - Rebel softball standout Janine Petmecky has become the first student-athlete to win the Bill Ireland Award for a second time, the UNLV Athletics Department announced Thursday.

The honor is given annually to a student-athlete who shines brightest in their respective sport while competing against UNR as part of the Governor's Series presented by NV Energy and Barrick Gold.

The Ireland honoree, selected through a vote by members of the UNLV Athletics Strategic Communications team, must come from a Rebel squad that won its competition vs. the Wolf Pack during the year, must have made a significant impact on that outcome and also be in good academic standing.

Petmecky, a pitcher/outfielder out of Riverside, California, (Riverside Polytechnic High School) also won the award after her freshman campaign in 2015.

In this season's pivotal three-game series against UNR, Petmecky got the start in game one and held the Wolf Pack to four runs on six hits en route to her 16th victory of the season and 12th complete game. In game two, Petmecky's sixth-inning two-run home run gave UNLV a 7-6 lead and secured the Rebels' first series win over UNR since 2015. The home run was especially important as it came after UNLV had lost a four-run lead in the top half of the frame. After the homer, Petmecky entered the circle in relief and pitched a scoreless seventh -- including a strikeout to end it. For the game, she went 2-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBI.

The three points earned by softball helped the Rebels rally during the spring and take the all-encompassing competition with the Wolf Pack by the final score of 27-21. It was UNLV's fifth victory in the six years of the history of the Governor's Series.

The individual award is named in honor of Mr. Bill Ireland, who was deeply tied to the history of the Wolf Pack and Rebels athletics programs. A 1952 graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, Ireland was the Wolf Pack's first baseball coach (1961-67). After his time at UNR, he went on to UNLV where he became the Rebels' first football coach (1968-72) and later served as athletics director (1973-80). Ireland is also credited with helping create the Fremont Cannon.

UNLV BILL IRELAND AWARD WINNERS

2018 -- Janine Petmecky, Softball
2017 -- Lily Sender, Women's Soccer
2016 -- Ryan McAleenan, Football
2015 -- Janine Petmecky, Softball
2014 -- Jenn Wolfe, Women's Soccer
2013 -- Buddy Borden, Baseball


GOVERNOR'S SERIES ALL-TIME RESULTS

2018 -- UNLV 27, UNR 21
2017 -- UNLV 24, UNR 24 (Wolf Pack won tiebreaker)
2016 -- UNLV 28.5, UNR 19.5
2015 -- UNLV 27, UNR 21
2014 -- UNLV 30, UNR 18
2013 -- UNLV 37.5, UNR 10.5