FRESNO, Calif. (UNLVRebels.com) -
Jesse Farrell blasted a two-run home run in the top of the sixth inning to propel the UNLV softball team to a 2-1 victory over Fresno State in game one of the Mountain West series on Friday night at Margie Wright Diamond.
After the Rebels (27-13, 10-4 MW) fell behind to the Bulldogs (28-15, 8-6 MW) 1-0 in the bottom of the second inning, the next three innings for both sides were scoreless. UNLV took the lead in the top of the sixth inning and shut down Fresno State in the final two innings.
Ellie Zellien went the distance for the ninth game this season collecting her eighth win. Zellien struck out five Bulldogs, only allowed a run, and four hits. Zellien held Fresno State hitless from the second to the seventh inning.
THE TURNING POINT: The Rebels headed into the sixth inning down by a run. With one out,
Ariana Martinez drew a walk on a full count to get UNLV a base runner. After the Bulldogs recorded the second out,
Jesse Farrell sent the first ball she saw over the left center wall to put the Scarlet & Gray on top, 2-1. In the bottom of the seventh, Zellien and the defense sat down the Bulldogs in order and the Rebels knew they had momentum. The Rebels made contact in the top of the seventh, but it went straight to a defensive player. With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Fresno State had a runner on off a single up the middle. As the Bulldogs threatened with the tying run on first, Zellien sat down one of Fresno State's top hitters to end the game.
OTHER NOTES:
- Maddie Schmidt, Jesse Farrell and Sofia Morales were all 2-for-3 at the plate.
- Farrell smacked her 10th home run of the season, and had two RBI. Farrell now has 42 RBI on the season.
- Schmidt is now on a six-game reached base streak.
- Ariana Martinez has now reached base in eight straight games.
UP NEXT: The Rebels and Bulldogs will play game two of the series on Saturday, April 20 with first pitch set for 2 p.m.
