LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV softball team ended the Boyd Gaming Classic Sunday with an 8-0 run-rule win in six innings over UTEP at Eller Media Stadium. It was their second win over the Miners as they opened the tournament with a 3-1 victory Friday afternoon.
The Rebels have now won 14 of their last 16 after beginning the season 2-3, while they have started 16-5 for the second straight year, matching the third-best start through 21 games in program history.
UNLV's offense, which has been both explosive at times and struggled at other times this year, was hitting on all cylinders Sunday, recording a season-high 16 hits. Eight different Rebels registered at least one hit, with five connecting on two or more. Junior Mia Trejo and sophomore Lauryn Barker led the way with three hits apiece, with Trejo driving in what proved to be the game-winner in the third on a double and Barker ending it in the sixth with a two-out RBI to center.
After UNLV was blanked the first two frames, Trejo's RBI single started a string of four straight scoring innings for UNLV with two runs in the fourth, two in the fifth and three in the six to end the game early. Seven different Rebels batted runs in, including Trejo, two from Barker and one each from freshman Alyssa Trejo, senior Justine Federe, junior Jaclyn Candelas, freshman Caitlin Candelas and senior Lauren Tycksen.
The Rebels have scored six or more runs in five of their last eight games and are undefeated at 9-0 this year when they are able to produce at least six runs.
Sophomore Jenny Bressler (8-3) got the start in the circle and turned in her fifth complete-game performance and her fourth shut out, limiting the Miners to five hits and striking out six. Bressler went 3-0 on the weekend and lowered her ERA to a 1.43.
UP NEXT: The Rebels hit the road again for their last non-conference tournament of 2020, Grand Canyon's Lopes Up Classic, March 6-8 in Phoenix. UNLV opens the tournament Friday against St. Joseph's at 12 p.m. MT.
