BOISE, Idaho (UNLVRebels.com) — The Rebels ended Boise State's 10-game winning streak and handed the Mountain West-leading Broncos their first conference loss Friday afternoon.
UNLV (25-6 overall, 3-1 Mountain West) thumped No. 25 Boise State (27-6, 6-1) 9-0 in a five-inning run-rule victory at Dona Larsen Park.
"Our team did a really good job of making their pitcher throw strikes," UNLV head coach
Kristie Fox said. "We took what they gave us early in the game, then came up with some key RBIs."
The Rebels knocked starting pitcher Taylor Caudill out of the game before reaching the bottom third of their batting order.
April Visser and
Maddie Schmidt drew back-to-back full-count walks to lead off the game.
Mia Trejo singled off a 2-2 pitch and
Ariana Martinez walked on a full count to plate Visser. Then
Sofia Morales walked on five pitches for another RBI.
"Offensively, we looked really prepared and our hitters weren't chasing out of the zone too much."
The Broncos made their change in the circle, but didn't turn their fortunes.
Samantha Diaz smacked Hannah Bailey's first pitch through the left side for an RBI single.
Julia Vollmer kicked back Bailey's second offering for a two-RBI single to right and Visser doubled to complete a seven-run first inning.
UNLV starter
Jenny Bressler (W, 13-4) tossed a one-hitter in her shutout performance.
"Playing here, keeping the ball on the ground is huge and Jenny did a great job of forcing groundballs and getting some key strikeouts.
"Her stuff was moving well and the team played defense behind her. To only go through their lineup two times in the first game of the weekend and save her some innings is great."
The Rebels added two runs in the fourth after beginning the inning with four consecutive hits. Visser and Schmidt rounded the bases a second time as Trejo and Armendariz added RBIs to their stats.
It was UNLV's fifth consecutive win against Boise State.
UNLV and Boise State continue with game two of the three-game series Saturday at 3 p.m. PT.
"They're a tough team and they're going to come out swinging tomorrow. We'll need to focus on our game and not make any moment bigger than it is."
