LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV softball team defeated intrastate rival UNR 7-3 in Sunday's rubber match at Eller Media Stadium to collect the Mountain West series 2-1. This game is part of the Silver State Series, presented by America First Credit Union.
 
The Rebels (26-13, 9-4 MW) fell behind, 3-1, in the first inning to the Wolf Pack (33-11, 11-5 MW), but the Scarlet & Gray scored six runs in the next two innings and shut down UNR to earn the victory. UNLV held UNR scoreless for six straight innings after they scored at the beginning of the game. Ellie Zellien pitched her eighth complete game of the season to earn her seventh win.

𝘚𝘗𝘌𝘊𝘐𝘈𝘓 𝘗𝘓𝘈𝘠𝘚.
𝙎𝙋𝙀𝘾𝙄𝘼𝙇 𝙋𝙇𝘼𝙔𝙀𝙍𝙎. 

𝑺𝑬𝑹𝑰𝑬𝑺 = 𝑾𝑶𝑵😤🤗 pic.twitter.com/SwfAGcMAid
— UNLV Softball (@UNLVSoftball) April 14, 2024
 

Sunday Funday🤪‼️ pic.twitter.com/OimVDmQ7fz
— UNLV Softball (@UNLVSoftball) April 14, 2024
 

TWO THREE-RUN INNINGS: After the Rebels cut the deficit to two in the bottom of the first inning, 3-1, UNLV was ready to come back to the plate and get those runs back. Sofia Morales led off the bottom of the second with a double to left on the first pitch she saw. With one out, Kelsie Kelso then doubled down the left field line to give the Rebels runners on the corners. Marisa Bowman stepped to the plate and on a full count, sent a sac fly to right center that brought Morales home to cut UNR's lead to one, 3-2. Maddie Schmidt sent one back up the middle to give UNLV runners on first and third for the second time in the inning. Skyler Shaw took the first pitch she saw back up the middle for a double that not only brought in Kelso, Schmidt scored from first to put the Rebels on top 4-3. In the bottom of the third inning, the Rebels extended the lead to 7-3 thanks to a two-run homer by Jesse Farrell and a Kelsie Kelso RBI single up the middle.
 
OTHER NOTES:

• Sofia Morales' bat is still hot as she went 2-for-2 at the plate including a double and crossed the plate twice for UNLV.
• Maddie Schmidt was 2-for-4 on the day and scored two runs.
• Ariana Martinez was 2-for-3 with an RBI.
• Kelsie Kelso was also 2-for-3 with an RBI on the day.
• Jesse Farrell and Skyler Shaw each had two RBI.
• Ellie Zellien only allowed three runs on five hits through seven innings against the Wolf Pack and sat down two hitters.
• The Rebels forced the Wolf Pack to make two pitching changes on the day.

HIGHLIGHTS 


UP NEXT: The Rebels will continue Mountain West play on the road at Fresno State for a three-game series beginning on Friday, April 19 and concluding on Sunday, April 21.