ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (UNLVRebels.com) — Strong, sustained winds blowing in from center field threatened to quiet UNLV's bats. Instead the Rebels felt right at home.

UNLV (33-11 overall, 11-5 Mountain West) smacked a season-high 16 hits and run-ruled New Mexico (25-20, 5-11) 11-1 in five innings Friday night at the Lobo Softball Field. 

"We did a good job with our approach at the plate," UNLV head softball coach Kristie Fox said. "Our bats had been struggling and our defense has really kept us in games."

Denise Armendariz and Ariana Martinez both hit 3-for-4 at the plate, driving in runs each time to befuddle the Lobos' defense.

UNLV took control in the second inning by scoring five runs. Samantha Diaz led off with a fly to right field that was carried out of the fielder's range and legged into a triple. Diaz was batted in by Julia Vollmer, who started a streak of eight straight batters reaching base.

"For us to break out of that and get some key RBIs and quality at bats with runners in scoring position is a good thing for us to get going down the stretch."

Martinez and Armendariz brought in runners again in UNLV's two-run third and three-run fifth.

Jenny Bressler (W, 20-6) earned her 20th victory of the season with a five-hit, four-strikeout performance. Bressler held off New Mexico's main scoring threat in the third inning, retiring two straight to escape a bases-loaded jam. 

UNLV and New Mexico return for game two of the series Saturday at 2 p.m. PT.