LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV softball team is back at Eller Media Stadium to host Colorado State for a two-game series in the opening weekend of Mountain West play. The Rebels are looking for their seventh consecutive win.
 
SCHEDULE:
Saturday, March 16 - Colorado State at UNLV at 3 p.m. 
Sunday, March 17 - Colorado State at UNLV at 12 p.m.
 
UNLV vs. COLORADO STATE
All-time vs. Colorado State: 46-52
Streak: Loss 1
Last meeting: UNLV won two of three in Fort Collins on March 31 - April 2, 2023
 
SCOUTING COLORADO STATE: The Rams enter opening MW play weekend with a 17-game win record, which is the best start since the 2019 season. Colorado State is coming off a 5-0 weekend at their own Rams Invitational outscoring their opponents 50-6. Molly Gates is leading the Rams with a .373 batting average to go with six doubles, two home runs and 11 RBI. Peyton Allen leads the squad in RBI with 21 and is tied for the lead in home runs with four. In the circle, Reagan Wick has a 1.98 ERA in her 11 appearances and has a 2-1 overall record.
 
WEEKEND PROMOTIONS: Fans in attendance will receive a 2024 UNLV softball schedule poster all weekend. Additionally, the concession stand will offer $5 beers on Saturday and $6 for a hot dog, chips and water bottle or canned soda on Sunday. The Rebels will have post game autographs on both days and run the bases following the conclusion of Sunday's game.
 
TICKETS: Tickets are on sale now for the 2024 UNLV softball season. Season tickets are $50 for adults, $40 for seniors, faculty and staff, and alumni. Single-game tickets are $6 in advance and at the game $10 for adults and $8 for seniors, faculty and staff.Kids under 12, Nevada High School students with their high school ID, UNLV students are free at all home contests.
 
BROADCAST INFO: The opening weekend of Mountain West play for the Rebels will be streamed on UNLV Athletic's YouTube channel. Links to the stream and live stats links can be found on UNLVrebels.com
 
NEXT UP: The Rebels will hit the road for their first road MW weekend visiting New Mexico for a three-game series beginning on Friday, March 22 and concluding on Sunday, March 24.
 
LAST TIME ON THE FIELD: The UNLV softball team competed in the Norfolk State Invitational going 4-0 over last weekend and earned their sixth straight win on the season. The Rebels picked up two run-rule victories over Youngstown 9-0 in six innings on day one, and closed out the tournament with a 10-0 five inning win against Quinnipiac. UNLV had a great weekend on the East coast tallying a combined 29 runs, two run-rule shutouts and Jessie Fontes, Alanna Thiede, Rylei Trujillo and Ellie Zellien each picked up a win in the circle. UNLV outhit its opponents 41-12 on the weekend and only allowed seven combined runs through four games. During the NSU Invitational, the Rebels had three players bat .500 including Maddie Schmidt, Ariana Martinez and Alyssa Trejo. Schmidt was 7-for-14 with an RBI, a double and was a perfect 3-for-3 on stolen bases. Martinez was 6-for-12 with a double, a triple, a home run and nine RBI. Trejo was 5-for-10 on the weekend with two home runs, four RBI and four walks.
 
REBELS' SQUAD: UNLV returns 16 letterwinners, including six position starters and three pitchers. All-Mountain West selections in Ariana Martinez, Maddie Schmidt and Skyler Shaw return to the Rebels this season. UNLV welcomes six newcomers to the squad including Charelle Aki, Jesse Farrell, Mackenzie Huntington, Malia Jones, Kailani Olivas and Rylei Trujillo.
 
On the pitching side, senior Ellie Zellien led the team last season with seven wins and 69 strikeouts. Zellien made 30 appearances and 19 starts for the Rebels. Fifth year senior Alanna Thiede also returns and was second on the squad in ERA (5.21), struck out 61 hitters and had two saves. Senior Jessie Fontes is also back for the Rebels this season. Last season, Fontes made 20 appearances and 11 starts and had an ERA of 7.05.
 
The Rebels bring back the top-five hitters from last season which include juniors Ariana Martinez and Sofia Morales, seniors Janyssa Martin and Skyler Shaw and fifth year senior Maddie Schmidt. Martinez was second on the squad with a .370 batting average, she posted team-highs in doubles (16), home runs (12) and slugging percentage (.708). Morales hit .299 with four doubles and 14 RBI. Martin started all 50 games last season and batted .305 with eight doubles, six home runs and a triple. Shaw led the squad and conference in batting with a .411 average. Shaw had a double, a triple and 11 RBI. Schmidt posted a .331 batting average with two doubles and two triples. Schmidt led the squad in stolen bases and was a perfect 21-for-21.
 
LAST YEAR: The Rebels had an overall record of 23-27 including a 9-13 MW record. Ariana Martinez was named to the All-Mountain West first team. Additionally, Maddie Schmidt, Skyler Shaw and April Visser were selected to the All-Mountain West second team.