LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV softball team began the weekend at Eller Media Stadium on a high note as junior ace Jenny Bressler threw her second career no-hitter in a 5-0 Rebel win to open the series against New Mexico Saturday. It was the 37th no-hitter in 37 seasons of UNLV softball, but just the sixth since 1995 and second since 2013. It was also the first seven-inning no-hitter for Bressler after she threw a five-inning one in an 8-0 run-rule win over Montana on February 14, 2020.

Unfortunately, UNLV (20-10, 12-2) came up just short of sweeping the doubleheader and securing its fourth Mountain West series victory as the Lobos used a late run in game two to upset the Rebels 1-0 for the split on the day. The series will be up for grab Sunday in the finale set for noon.

Bressler continued her tear through league play with her seventh victory in seven conference starts, which includes six complete-game performances and four shutouts. While the Lobos were able to draw six walks in the game, New Mexico only had one runner advance past first base all game long. The Canton, Michigan, native improved to 12-5 on the year and lowered her ERA to 1.82. She will get the start in the circle Sunday to go for the series win.

Bressler wasn't the only impressive UNLV performance as Charlie Masterson pitched strong for a second straight outing. After her four-hit shutout in a 6-0 game-two win at Utah State last week, Masterson cruised through most of her start against the Lobos. It wasn't until the sixth inning when a pair of back-to-back Lobo hits and a Rebel error allowed the only run of the game to score, which proved to be enough for the UNM win. Despite the solid outing for the senior from Boulder City, Masterson was tagged with the loss to fall to 4-3 on the year.

While UNLV's bats came alive in Utah State last weekend, outscoring the Aggies 29-2 in three games, the Rebels day at the plate wasn't quite as successful. Timely hitting was key in the game one win as junior Denise Armendariz twice delivered with runners on, driving in three of the five UNLV runs on a pair of hits. The Rebels couldn't find the timely hit in game two however, as UNLV left a runner on third with two outs in both the sixth and seventh innings during the attempt to rally down one late.

Game 1 Recap: UNLV jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after sophomore Maddie Schmidt led off with a single up the middle and three-hole hitter Justine Federe brought her home from second with an RBI single through the right side of the infield. In the third, senior Lauren Tycksen led off with a single, then advanced all the way to third on a Lobo error during her attempt to swipe second base. That brought up Armendariz, who connected on her Mountain West-leading 12th double of the season to bring home Tycksen and make it 2-0. With the bases loaded in the fifth, it was Armendariz up again and she came through with a single through the right side to score a pair for a 4-0 lead. A Mia Trejo sacrifice fly followed for the final 5-0 margin. The Lobos didn't really come close to knocking a hit against Bressler and couldn't capitalize on any of the walks they drew throughout the game.

Game 2 Recap: New Mexico sent their game one pitcher - Emma Guindon - out to face the Rebels again in game two, but UNLV wasn't able to come up with the clutch hits they had in game one. The Rebels put runners on second and third in the first inning on a pair of hits from Federe and Armendariz, but Trejo lined out to center to end the threat. After that, 12 of the next 13 UNLV batters recorded outs as the Rebels just couldn't get anything going at the plate. With a scoreless game in the top of the sixth, New Mexico hit a single to put one on with one out. With two outs, the Lobos hit a double down the right field line that should have resulted in runners on second and third, but unfortunately Federe mishandled the throw from Janyssa Martin in right field and the error allowed the New Mexico run to cross the plate for the 1-0 lead. In the bottom half of the sixth, Tycksen singled up the middle with one out, stole second and then reached third on a wild pitch. With two outs, Armendariz walked to put two on, but Mia Trejo wasn't able to get Tycksen home to tie it at one. In the Rebels' last chance in the seventh, reigning Mountain West Player of the Week Samantha Diaz singled with one out, which was followed by a two-out pinch-hit single by freshman Jasmine Martin to put Diaz 60 feet away from tying it up at one, but Schmidt flied out to end the game. 

UP NEXT: The Rebels and Lobos will meet in the finale at noon Sunday with the Mountain West series up for grabs.