LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV softball team bounced back in a big way Sunday, blanking No. 24 Boise State 1-0 in the series rubber match at Eller Media Stadium. The Rebels quickly put their worst loss of the season behind them and re-focused for their second consecutive series win over the Broncos in two seasons under Kristie Fox.

The victory moves UNLV to 21-6 overall and 2-1 in Mountain West play, while Boise State falls to 19-4 and 1-2. The Rebels' last four wins have come over two teams that are ranked and/or receiving votes in one of the three major Division I Top 25 polls.

The star of the day was freshman Jenny Bressler, who continues to shine in her first collegiate season. For the second time in three days, Bressler shut down a high powered Boise State offense for her 13th win with a third straight complete game performance. The right-hander saved her best for Sunday though as she held the Broncos to just two hits and two walks in seven innings.

The Rebel offense faced Boise State's Gianna Mancha for a second straight day, and while they didn't light her up, they had success when they needed it, coming up with the game-winning RBI in the fifth from pinch-hitter Kiley Harrison. UNLV scattered seven hits over over six innings in handing Mancha just her second loss this year.

THE TURNING POINT: A pitcher's duel between Bressler and Mancha went into the bottom of the fifth inning and looked like the game could be headed to extras. With one out, senior Myranda Bueno singled up the middle to give the Rebels life. Fox then sent fellow senior Kiley Harrison to the plate to pinch-hit for Julia Vollmer. Harrison came through, lofting a ball to no-man's land in left center that skipped past three Broncos trying to make the catch. That allowed Bueno to score all the way from first base for the eventual game-winner. In the top half of the six, Boise State got two runners on after a hit by pitch and a single with no outs. The runners advanced to second and third on a sacrifice bunt and it looked as if the Broncos may tie it with out out in the inning, but Bressler got a foul out and a fly out to get out of the jam and end the best threat of day for BSU.

STAT OF THE GAME: The Broncos only advanced one runner past second base all game and only had four baserunners total.

REBEL OF THE GAME: Hard to go with anyone but Bressler. In 14.0 innings pitched this weekend, the freshman allowed just one run on 11 hits with three strikeouts and one walk, while the two hits allowed Sunday were a season low in 14 starts this year. Bressler has been lights out over the last two weekends, going 5-0 in 30.2 innings pitched with a 0.23 ERA (one run allowed on 21 hits) with 19 strikeouts against six walks. For the season Bressler is 13-2 with a 1.62 ERA and 69 strikeouts - both team-bests.

QUOTABLES:
"For the team being as young as it is, they showed a lot of maturity this [Mountain West] opening weekend. To face the defending champions and a ranked team and take the series is a great start. They came out with a ton of energy, swung the bats well and were able to bounce back. I think we have the pieces and when we have good focus and execute our game plan we are a tough team to beat."
- Head Coach Kristie Fox

"It meant a lot to me to be able to help my team win this series. My teammates played great defense behind me and I can't wait to see what the rest of the season holds for us!"
- Freshman Pitcher Jenny Bressler

UP NEXT: The Rebels will head out on the road for their next two Mountain West Series, first to Utah State March 22-24 and then to San Diego State March 29-31.

REBEL NOTES: 
* The 21-6 record is the third-best start through 27 games in program history and best start since the 1995 squad went 23-4
* This is the third win over a ranked team this year, marking the first time since 2005 the Rebels have had three wins over a ranked team
* This is the second straight year the Rebels have opened their league slate 2-1 under Kristie Fox
* The Rebels didn't have much success against BSU's Gianna Mancha, but Bueno seemed to have her number. In two games, Bueno went 4-for-5, which included scoring the game-winning run Sunday
* Pinch-hitting has been successful for Fox and the Rebels this year as they are hitting .308 (12-for-39) in those situations. Harrison is now 3-for-9 (.333) when pinch-hitting; freshman Statia Cermak leads the way at 5-for-7 (.714) 
* UNLV has allowed three runs or fewer in 13 of its last 14 games and one run or fewer in eight of its last nine games
* As a staff, the Rebel pitchers have a 2.16 ERA
* This is just the ninth time in 27 games the Rebels were held to three runs or fewer
* Rebels still continue to outscore its opponents 149-56
* Rebels didn't commit an error in the game and have just 11 in 27 games this year