HUNTSVILLE, Texas (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV softball team got off to a hot start run-ruling both Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston State to open the 2024 season at the Bearkat Classic hosted by Sam Houston State on Friday at the Bearkat Softball Complex.
 
The Rebels (2-0) and Ellie Zellien shutout the Lumberjacks (0-2) 11-0 in five innings. UNLV continued the momentum into game two and routed the Bearkats (0-2) 10-1 in six innings. The Rebels were 22-for-51 (.431) at the plate through two games, had a combined 20 RBI, three home runs including a grand slam by Alyssa Trejo against Stephen F. Austin.
 
GAME 1: UNLV 11, Stephen F. Austin 0 (5 innings)
 
Maddie Schmidt led off the bottom of the first inning with an infield single. With one out, Ariana Martinez roped an RBI triple to give the Rebels an early 1-0 lead. Alyssa Trejo followed with a double to center field to score Martinez to get a 2-0 lead after the first inning. In the bottom of the second inning Schmidt hit a sacrifice fly to score Kelsie Kelso and make it 3-0. In the bottom of the third inning, Alyssa Trejo hit a solo blast over the left center wall to add another run to the Rebels' lead. With two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning, the Rebels had runners in scoring position and Janyssa Martin hit a single to right field, to bring home Skyler Shaw and Martinez to make it 6-0. The Rebels bats stayed hot and Kelso smacked a double to right field with one out. Ellie Zellien followed with a double of her own and brought Kelso across home plate to take a 7-0 lead. UNLV loaded the bases and Trejo with a full count went yard for the second time of the game to walk-off the run rule over the Lumberjacks.

CHALK UP THE FIRST W OF THE SEASON AS A 5-INNING RUN RULE!!! 😎 pic.twitter.com/R2bAoWvzLz
— UNLV Softball (@UNLVSoftball) February 9, 2024
  

GAME 2: UNLV 10, Sam Houston State 1 (6 innings)
 
The Rebels jumped out front in the top of the first inning scoring six runs on six hits. In the top of the second, UNLV kept the bats going and on a Kelso sacrifice fly, the Rebels tacked on another run to their lead to make it 7-0. In the bottom of the second inning, the Bearkats scored on an RBI double to make it 7-1. The third and fourth inning were scoreless by both squads, but in the top of the fifth inning, Lorenzza Marcacci took advantage of a Sam Houston wild pitch and scored. Alyssa Trejo led off the top of the sixth inning with a walk. With two outs, Kelso smacked a two-run homer down the left field line to make it 10-1. In the bottom of the sixth, the Rebels retired the first two Bearkat hitters. Sam Houston State then drew a walk, but the Rebels shut down the Bearkats chances on a ground ball to first base to hold onto the run-rule win.

Another WIN for the Rebels! pic.twitter.com/rvQuoRdOoQ
— UNLV Softball (@UNLVSoftball) February 10, 2024
 

OTHER NOTES:

• Freshmen Charelle Aki and Jesse Farrell made their collegiate debuts with Farrell starting behind the plate against Stephen F. Austin and as a pinch hitter against Sam Houston State. Farrell also marked her first collegiate hit against the Lumberjacks. Aki made her debut against Stephen F. Austin as a pinch hitter.
• Kelsie Kelso was 3-for-4 through two games including a double and a two-run home run. She ended the day with four RBI and crossed the plate three times.
• Alyssa Trejo had a career game against Stephen F. Austin with a career-high six RBI, tied career-high in hits (three) and runs scored (two). Trejo hit two home runs against the Lumberjacks including a go-ahead grand slam to secure the run-rule.
• Pitchers Ellie Zellien and Alanna Thiede each picked up their first win of the season.

 
UP NEXT: The Rebels continue the Bearkat Classic on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 8:30 a.m. PT against Stephen F. Austin. UNLV will also play at 11:00 a.m. PT against Sam Houston.