LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV softball team continued to roll in Phoenix Saturday, picking up two more wins to extend its winning streak to five games. The Rebels took down Saint Joseph's for a second time this weekend, this time by a score of 5-1, then shut out Montana 1-0 for their third win over the Grizzlies this season.
UNLV is now 4-0 on the weekend and 20-5 overall, winning 18 of its last 20 after starting the season 2-3. The Rebels have started 20-5 for the second straight season, matching the 1991 squad for second-best record through 25 games in program history. The 1995 team owns the best record at 21-4.
After allowing a season-high 10 runs to Houston last weekend, the Rebel pitching staff has clamped down in Phoenix, giving up just five in four games, while senior Charlie Masterson and sophomore Jenny Bressler allowed just one run on six hits combined over the two contests Saturday. It was Masterson's sixth win of the season and Bressler notched her team-high 10th win.
Senior Justine Federe came through on another game-winning run batted in as she drove in the only score in the win over Montana. Juniors Mia Trejo and Samantha Diaz also had productive days at the plate, combining to go 7-for-11 (.636) with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored.
Game 1 Recap (UNLV vs. Saint Joseph's): Saturday's rematch was almost identical to Friday's first game between the squads as the Rebels scored once in the first and added four runs in the second. Federe led off the game with a walk and then loaded the bases before fellow senior Lauren Tycksen drew a walk to score the first run. In the second inning, three straight RBIs from Trejo, sophomore Denise Armendariz and Diaz broke the game open and Saint Joseph's didn't get within four runs after that.
Game 2 Recap (UNLV vs. Montana): After UNLV dominated the Grizzlies 8-0 in five innings in the first meeting earlier in the year, the last two meetings have been close, with the Rebels winning the second matchup 2-0 thanks to a Mia Trejo two-run home run. The third meeting was even closer as the two teams combined for just five hits in the game, with UNLV mustering one run in the third that proved to be enough in the pitcher's duel. After Jaclyn Candelas led off the inning with a single and reached second on a sacrifice bunt, Federe sent the ball in between first and second and the second baseman couldn't handle it, allowing Candelas to score from second. Bressler did her part, allowing just the two hits in the shutout, her second complete game of the weekend, to go along with eight strikeouts.
UP NEXT: The Rebels will finish out the Lopes Up Classic against host Grand Canyon Sunday at 12:30 p.m., who they beat 7-1 Friday. Next weekend UNLV will return home to open conference play with a Silver State Series showdown against rival UNR, Friday, March 13-15, at Eller Media Stadium.
