HUNTSVILLE, Texas (UNLVRebels.com) - After a rain delay and inclement weather conditions the UNLV softball team earned a 4-3 victory over Stephen F. Austin in its final game of the Bearkat Classic during opening weekend of the 2024 season.
 
The Rebels (3-0) and Lumberjacks (0-3) started play after an hour and half weather delay on Saturday morning and were able to get through five innings, but play was then halted due to rain. The squads tried to return to action on Sunday morning, but the rain did not go away.
 
HOW IT WENT DOWN: On Saturday morning, UNLV fell behind in the bottom of the first inning after Stephen F. Austin scored on an infield ground ball, 1-0. The Rebels countered with a run of their own in the top of the second inning thanks to a solo shot by Janyssa Martin over the left center fence to tie the game 1-all. In the bottom of the second, Stephen F. Austin scored on a fielder's choice to go up 2-1. The third was scoreless by both squads. Skyler Shaw led off the top of the fourth inning with a beauty of a bunt single. With one out, Alyssa Trejo had a quality at-bat drawing a walk on a full count. Martin then singled to right center to load the bases with one out. Bri Williams came in clutch with a fielder's choice RBI to tie the game, 2-all. With two outs, bases loaded, Kelsie Kelso drew a five-pitch walk, which scored a run to give the Rebels a 3-2 lead. UNLV held Stephen F. Austin scoreless in the bottom of the fourth inning. In the top of the fifth inning, Shaw led off with a single through the left side. Ariana Martinez then roped a double down the left field line to bring Shaw across the plate to give the Rebels a 4-2 lead. In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Lumberjacks scored on a single to left center to get within one, 4-3. As the top of the sixth inning was about to get underway, the rain came back over Huntsville and halted play.
 
OTHER NOTES

• Janyssa Martin was 2-for-2 on the day including a solo home run.
• Skyler Shaw also had two hits on the day and crossed the plate twice.
• Alanna Thiede earned the win in relief, and is now 2-0 on the season.
• Through the weekend, the Rebels had a .625 slugging percentage, four home runs, four doubles and 27 hits.
• Jesse Farrell made her second collegiate start behind the plate against the Lumberjacks on Saturday morning.
• The Rebels are now 2-0 all-time against Stephen F. Austin in the first two-ever meetings.
• UNLV is now 3-0 all-time against Sam Houston State.
• The Rebels and Shockers did not meet this weekend due to the Bearkat Classic being canceled on the second day due to weather conditions.

 
UP NEXT: The Rebels will host the UNLV Desert Classic for their home-opening weekend as Bradley, Iowa State and UC Santa Barbara come to Las Vegas on Friday, February 16 – Sunday, February 18. UNLV will first play Bradley on Friday, February 16 at 3 p.m.