LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV softball team are making the trek to the East Coast to compete in the Norfolk State Invitational beginning on Friday, March 8 and concluding on Sunday, March 10. The Rebels join Le Moyne, Quinnipiac, Youngstown State and the host Spartans for the field. UNLV will first play Youngstown State on Friday, March 8 at 11 a.m. PT.
 
SCHEDULE:
Friday, March 8 - UNLV vs. Youngstown State 11:00 a.m. PT
Friday, March 8 - UNLV at Norfolk State at 1:30 p.m. PT
 
Saturday, March 9 - UNLV vs. Le Moyne at 8:30 a.m. PT
Saturday, March 9 - UNLV vs. Youngstown State at 11:00 a.m. PT
 
Sunday, March 10 - UNLV vs. Quinnipiac (DH) beginning at 8:30 a.m. PT
 
UNLV vs. the field
All-time vs. LE MOYNE: First meeting
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First meeting: -
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All-time vs. NORFOLK STATE: First meeting
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First meeting: -
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All-time vs. QUINNIPIAC: First meeting
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First meeting: -
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All-time vs. YOUNGSTOWN STATE: First meeting
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First meeting: -
Last meeting: -
 
BROADCAST INFO: The Norfolk State Invitational will only have a live stream for the games against the Spartans, which will be streamed on NSUsparts.com. The other neutral games will not be streamed, and live stats are available. Livestream and live stats links can be found on UNLVrebels.com
 
NEXT UP: UNLV will be back home to open Mountain West play on Saturday, March 16 hosting Colorado State at 3 p.m.
 
​​LAST TIME ON THE FIELD: The UNLV softball team defeated Southern Utah 13-4 in a midweek contest at Kathryn Berg Field. The Rebels scored two or more runs in four of the seven innings played and held the Thunderbirds to only a run in two of the three innings they scored in. Kelsie Kelso was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate including a walk and two RBI. Alyssa Trejo was 3-for-5 on the day including five RBI, of which three came in the top of the seventh inning. Janyssa Martin was 2-for-4 with three RBI and crossed the plate a career-high four times. Martin was also hit by a pitch and went hit her third homer of the season. Alanna Thiede picked up the win, which was her eighth of the season and now has a record of 8-1.
 
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, Kaliani 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.