LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV softball team fell in both games on day two of the Desert Classic at Eller Media Stadium on Saturday. The Rebels (5-2) were unable to make a comeback and suffered their first loss of the season, 4-3, to UC Santa Barbara (2-7). UNLV could not get the bats going until late against Bradley (1-3) and dropped 7-3.
 
The Rebels fell behind early in both games, but nearly out-hit their opponents 15-17. UC Santa Barbara and Bradley each held UNLV scoreless for the first five innings.
 
GAME 1: UNLV 3, UC Santa Barbara 4
 
The Gauchos jumped out front first in the top of the first inning bringing around three runs on three hits. The Rebels were held scoreless in the bottom of the first. Both squads were retired in order in the second inning. With one out in the top of the third, UC Santa Barbara brought around another run to make it 4-0. After two and a half scoreless innings, in the bottom of the sixth, Janyssa Martin hit a single to right center with one out. Alyssa Trejo then roped a double down the right field line to give the Rebels runners in scoring position. Kelsie Kelso then walked to load the bases. The Rebels took advantage of a Gauchos' error and two runs across the plate, 4-2. After shutting down UC Santa Barbara in the top of the seventh inning, the Rebels led off the bottom of the final frame with a walk by Maddie Schmidt. Schmidt turned her wheels on and then stole second to put herself in scoring position. Ariana Martinez hit an infield single that brought Schmidt across the plate to get within one. UNLV was then retired on a fly out and strike out and UC Santa Barbara earned the 4-3 win.
 
GAME 2: UNLV 3, Bradley 7
 
Bradley took an early 3-0 lead on three hits in the top of the first inning. Both squads were shut out for two innings until the Braves scored a run in the top of the fourth inning, 4-0. Bradley added to its lead in the top of the fifth inning on an RBI single up the middle, 5-0. In the top of the sixth inning, the Braves tallied two more runs to the lead, 7-0. The Rebels answered two runs of their own in the bottom of the sixth courtesy of a Martinez RBI double to right center and a Jesse Farrell RBI double to left center, 7-2. In the bottom of the seventh, Charelle Aki roped a double down the left field line. Aki then tagged up on a line out to deep left center to move to third. Schmidt sent one back up the middle to bring Aki home and Schmidt took advantage of a Braves' error and advanced to second. After a single through the left side by the Rebels to give them runners on the corners, the Braves doubled-up UNLV to end the game and collect the win.
 
OTHER NOTES:

• Rylei Trujillo made her Rebels debut with a start on the mound against the Gauchos. Trujillo also recorded her first collegiate hit, which was a double. Kailani Olivas was another Rebel to make her debut as a pinch runner and at third base against UCSB.
• Maddie Schmidt was 4-for-5 on the day including three walks and a RBI. Schmidt was 1-for-1 on stolen bases and crossed the plate once. Schmidt is on a four-game hitting and reached base streak.
• Janyssa Martin was 4-for-8 on the day and scored two runs. Martin has reached base in every Rebels game so far this season.
• Jesse Farrell had two hits on the day, which were both doubles and recorded her first collegiate RBI against the Braves.
• Ariana Martinez is on a seven-game hitting streak and has reached base in all seven Rebels' games.

 
UP NEXT: The Rebels will close out their Desert Classic with a rematch against UC Santa Barbara on Sunday, February 18 at 12:00 p.m.