TUCSON, Ariz. (UNLVRebels.com) — UNLV hit four home runs and scored 18 unanswered to put away Marist in its opening game of the Bear Down Fiesta.

Samantha Diaz, Arianna Martinez and Mia Trejo drove in four runs each as UNLV run-ruled Marist 18-3 in five innings Friday at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium at the University of Arizona.

The Rebels needed just four swings of the bat to take the lead after Marist jumped on UNLV with three runs in the top of the first.

"I liked our composure; I liked our focus," UNLV head softball coach Kristie Fox said. "Giving up 3 in the first is tough but we came up and had great at-bats to get it going. We cut that deficit right away."

Marist's Miah McDonald hit the third in a series of singles to plate two Foxes. Then Alyssa Grupp dropped a double into left center to give Marist a 3-0 start.

Mia Trejo snuck a ground ball down the left field line to drive in Sofia Morales. Then, following Denise Armendariz's strikeout, the Rebels batted in nine runs with two outs on the board.

Diaz, Lauryn Barker, Maddie Schimdt and Morales all hit RBI singles before Mia Trejo, who hit 2-for-4 with four RBI, cleared the bases on a full count pitch.

Jenny Bressler atoned for the first inning by retiring the side in order in the top of the second. Marist would have just one walk and one hit the rest of the way.

"Our pitching staff had a day off yesterday, so today to get their arms in the circle was good for us. 

Alanna Thiede (W, 3-1) struck out four over the final three innings.

Diaz, Martinez and Armendariz would all homer in the second to add UNLV's final eight runs.

The Rebels take the evening off before playing two on Saturday, starting with Yale at 10 a.m. PT before facing No. 8 Arizona at 3 p.m.

"We'll get after Yale early tomorrow and see how that goes. And, when you face a team like Arizona, you have to have all hands on deck."