SAN JOSE, Calif. (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV Softball team collected a 5-2 victory in the series finale against San Jose State to collect the Mountain West series 2-1 on Sunday at Spartan Softball Complex.
The Rebels (29-16,12-7) jumped out front in the first inning 1-0 over the Spartans (15-27,4-14). UNLV then added a run in the top of the third and fourth to hold a 3-0 lead over San Jose State, but the Spartans started to crawl back. The Scarlet & Gray then added a run in the top of the fifth and in the top of the seventh to hold onto the victory.
Ellie Zellien did not allow a hit until the bottom of the fourth inning and collected her 10th win over the season, which is her fifth in league play.
Alanna Thiede came in and earned her second save of her career.
THE TURNING POINT: The Rebels took a 3-0 lead after the first four innings of play to be in good position for the victory. The Spartans were not going down without a fight, as they cut the deficit to two, on a solo homer in the fourth, 3-1. UNLV countered and scored a run in the top of the fifth on an RBI single up the middle by
Alyssa Trejo, 4-1. Again, San Jose State cut the deficit to two in the bottom of the fifth, 4-2. With runners in scoring position with no outs in the top of the seventh,
Kelsie Kelso hit a sac fly to left to bring in an insurance run for the Rebels, 5-2. Thiede and the defense then retired the Spartans in order to secure the win.
OTHER NOTES:
- Alyssa Trejo was 2-for-3 at the plate against San Jose State. Trejo had an RBI and a walk.
- Skyler Shaw went 2-for-5 on the day and scored a run.
- Kelsie Kelso led the team on the day with two RBI.
- Ellie Zellien only allowed three hits on the day, which the first came in the bottom of the fourth.
- The Rebels had three doubles and two stolen bases on the day.
- UNLV out-hit SJSU 10-3.
- Trejo and Ariana Martinez are both currently on four-game hitting streaks.
- Sofia Morales has now reached base in seven straight games.
UP NEXT: UNLV will wrap up the regular season with a three-game home senior weekend series against San Diego State beginning on Thursday, May 2 and concluding on Saturday, May 4. The Rebels will honor their 10 seniors following the series finale against the Aztecs.
