LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV softball team (2-3) wrapped up the opening weekend of the 2020 season with a 6-2 victory over the Southern Utah Thunderbirds (1-4) at Eller Media Stadium Sunday. The Rebels staked themselves to an early 3-0 lead through two innings of play and never looked back with starting pitcher Jenny Bressler silencing the Thunderbirds' offense for 5.1 innings.
 
The Scarlet & Gray got things going early with a run in the first and two more in the second before adding three insurance tallies over the fourth and fifth innings. The Thunderbirds, on the other hand, were limited offensively by Bressler (1-2) and were held off the scoreboard until they were able to get a two-run, two-out single off reliever Halle Arends to end the Rebels' shutout bid in the seventh.  
 
The Rebels were led by Lauren Tycksen who went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and one RBI. The senior center fielder played a prominent role in four of her squad's six runs. She scored the game's first tally off Justine Federe's sacrifice fly in the first inning. In the second, she hit a grounder to SUU's first baseman that was misplayed and allowed Statia Cermak to score off the miscue. She scored, once more, in the fourth off a wild pitch, and connected on an RBI single in the fifth, bringing home Lauryn Barker.
 
Bressler picked up the win in the circle after she limited SUU to no runs and only one hit in 5.1 innings of work. She struck out five batters and only walked one. She gave way to Arends who finished the game, but allowed two runs off of three hits and two walks in 1.2 innings.
 
SUU's Sydni Sorensen (0-2) was saddled with the loss in 3.1 innings in the circle. Sorensen walked five batters and gave up four hits that resulted in four runs (two earned). Koryne Coddington threw 1.2 innings of relief, but was touched for two runs off of four hits. Kamryn Grover threw the final frame for the Thunderbirds and did not allow a run despite giving up two hits.
 
IN OTHER ACTION: Earlier Sunday, Oregon State (4-1) defeated Cal State Northridge (3-2), 5-3, to close out their respective stays at the Rebel Kickoff.
 
UP NEXT: The Rebels remain home next weekend and will host the Marucci Desert Classic at Eller Media Stadium. Play begins Thursday evening for UNLV with a 6:00 pm contest against Montana. Joining UNLV and Montana in Las Vegas will be Utah Valley and Weber State in the four-day tournament that runs through Sunday.