LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV softball team completed the sweep over Utah State after taking both games of the doubleheader on Friday at Eller Media Stadium. The Rebels and Aggies agreed to move Saturday's game to Friday night to beat the rain that is in the forecast.
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The Rebels (21-10, 6-2 MW) earned a 14-13 comeback win over the Aggies (19-15, 3-6 MW) in extra innings in game two of the series and run-ruled Utah State 12-3 in the series finale. UNLV overcame a six-run deficit, 10-4, in today's first game and put up eight runs in the sixth to take its first lead of the day. The Aggies took the lead back in the top of the seventh, but the Rebels scored in the bottom half of the seventh to force extra innings.
Kelsie Kelso walked it off in the bottom of the ninth with a single through the right side with bases loaded. The bats continued in the series finale, as the Scarlet & Gray scored one or more runs in the five innings played.
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GAME ONE: UNLV 14, Utah State 13 (9 innings)
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The Aggies jumped out front in the top of the first inning, scoring nine runs on six hits to take an early 9-0 lead. The Rebels were able to bring a run across in the bottom of the first, 9-1. In the top of the second, Utah State tallied another run to increase the lead to 10-1.
Kelsie Kelso then roped her second home run of the season which went right over the center field wall and made it 10-2.
Maddie Schmidt smacked a triple that brought in two runs and closed the deficit to six, 10-4, as Schmidt brought in two runs on her triple. The next three and a half innings were scoreless, until the Rebels came back up to the plate in the bottom of the sixth. Kelso led off the inning with a single to right, and the rally began. UNLV scored eight runs on nine hits to take its first lead of the day, 12-10. Utah State answered and took the lead back in the top of the seventh inning, scoring three runs on two hits to make it 13-12. The Rebels did not go down without a fight.
Maddie Schmidt and
Ariana Martinez led off the bottom of the seventh with back-to-back singles. With runners on the corners,
Alyssa Trejo roped a deep sac fly ball to center, to bring in Schmidt and tie the game, 13-all, and force extra innings. The eighth was scoreless from both sides, and Utah State had a runner on in the top of the ninth, but the Rebels shut it down quickly. In the bottom half of the ninth, UNLV took advantage of an error to get the first base runner.
Janyssa Martin was then hit by a pitch to put two runners on.
Sofia Morales laid down a beautiful bunt single to load the bases.
Kelsie Kelso then hit a single through the right side on a 2-2 count, which brought in the game-winning run.
GAME TWO: UNLV 12, Utah State 3 (5 innings)
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In the series finale, Utah State was eager to get on the board as they scored two runs on two hits to take a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. UNLV's bats were still on fire as they answered with two runs of their own to tie the game 2-all in the bottom of the first. The Rebels then shut down the Aggies in order in the top of the second and went back to the plate.
Skyler Shaw soared a triple to center in the bottom of the second and
Marisa Bowman brought her home on a sac fly to right to give UNLV the lead back at 3-2. Utah State continued to put up a battle as the Aggies tied the game in the top of the third inning 3-all on an RBI walk.
Janyssa Martin put the Rebels back ahead on a solo blast straight out over the center field fence to make it 4-3. UNLV then went on to score two more runs in the bottom of the third to give themselves a nice 6-3 lead.
Jessie Fontes and the Rebels then retired the Aggies in order in the top of the fourth inning and went to get the bats going again. Martin sent her second homer of the game, which was a two-run, again over the center field wall, to make it 8-3. UNLV then went on to score four more runs and put themselves in a position to earn the run-rule victory being ahead 12-3. Utah State had two runners on with one out in the top of the fifth inning, but a strike out and a throw down to second to catch the runner stealing closed out the game.
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OTHER NOTES:
- In game one of the doubleheader (game two of the series), the Rebels had four different players have three hits on the day.
- Maddie Schmidt was 3-for-5 with a triple, three RBI and crossed the plate twice. Schmidt's three RBI tie her career-high.
- Ariana Martinez was 3-for-5 in today's first game including two RBI and two doubles. Martinez has now reached base in 28 straight games.
- Jesse Farrell tied her career-high in runs with two runs scored in today's first game.
- Sofia Morales tied her career-high in RBI for the second straight day with two in today's first game.
- Kelsie Kelso was 3-for-5 at the plate in today's first game. Kelso had two RBI and marked a new career-high in runs scored with three.
- Skyler Shaw's bat was still hot as she went 3-for-4 in today's first game. Her three hits tied her career-high for the second straight day.
- Alanna Thiede picked up her 13th win in relief in today's first game. Thiede now has a 13-2 overall record on the season.
- Janyssa Martin hit two homers in the series finale, which marked the first time for her in her career.
- Jessie Fontes earned her third win of the season in the series finale and is now 3-2 overall on the season.
HIGHLIGHTS:
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UP NEXT: The Rebels will hit the road to play a doubleheader against Boise State on Wednesday, April 3.
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