LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) — The Rebels thumped four home runs and thrice took one of the nation's top pitchers to the brink as it split Saturday's contests at the Boyd Gaming Classic.

UNLV (14-4) pasted New Mexico State 13-5 in a five-inning run-rule before getting clipped 6-1 by No. 7 Washington in the nightcap at Eller Media Stadium.

Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year and national player of the year finalist Gabbie Plain twice escaped UNLV loading the bases and then a two-walk sixth inning.

"We had really good at-bats and put ourselves in situations to break the game open," UNLV head softball coach Kristie Fox said, "and we just didn't do it. We were facing an elite pitcher and she shut it down when she needed to."

Freshman Sofia Morales hit 6-for-7, sophomore Janyssa Martin scored three runs and freshman Arianna Martinez batted in four through two games to lead the Rebels.

"Overall I saw a lot of positives in the game with the way my team competed. We've been able to battle back from being down in the past, so they keep a mindset and this group never quits."

Jenny Bressler (8-2) captured her eighth win of the season against New Mexico State while Alanna Thiede bounced back from a rough start against the Aggies to punch out seven Huskies in four innings of relief.

UNLV hosts Houston at 11 a.m. Sunday for the final game of the Boyd Gaming Classic.

Game One: UNLV 13, New Mexico State 5 (5 innings)
Backed up against the ropes, UNLV delivered a knockout blow in the first round against New Mexico State, driving in seven runs in the bottom of the first to ultimately seal a run-rule victory for the second time in as many days.

Martinez hit a first-pitch homer over deep center field to drive in three runs and take a 5-3 lead that the Rebels would not relinquish.

Janyssa Martin and Lauryn Barker added home runs as UNLV scored four more times in the second inning. Denise Armendariz followed with a solo shot in the third.

Bressler struck out four and walked one without allowing a hit through the final 3 ⅔ innings. 

Game Two: Washington 6, UNLV 1
Martinez delivered a pinch-hit RBI single in the bottom of the fourth to cut Washington's early lead to 2-1, but the Rebels weren't able to find clutch hits when they needed them against the Huskies.

Following Martinez's hit, Jasmine Martin reached first on a fielder's choice to load the bases. However, the Huskies were able to get a force out at home on Alyssa Trejo's infield hit at the next at-bat. Plain struck out April Visser for the inning's final out.

The Rebels packed the bases again in the fifth, but Plain was once again able to work out of the jam, punching out Barker as part 13 strikeouts.