LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV softball team opened the last non-conference series with a split against North Dakota State on Saturday at Eller Media Stadium.
 
The Rebels (23-12) and Bison (16-24) battled it out in extra innings in the series opening, but UNLV fell 2-1 in nine innings. The Scarlet & Gray bounced back in game two to defeat NDSU 8-5. Jesse Farrell had a career day at the plate in game two, hitting two multi-run home runs to mark a new career-high in RBI with six. Alanna Thiede picked up her 14^th win of the season in game two.

GAME 1: UNLV 1, NDSU 2 (9 innings)
It was scoreless from both squads through the first six innings of play to open the series. North Dakota State jumped out front in the top of the seventh inning to take a 1-0 lead. The Rebels however were quick to respond in the bottom of the seventh as Jesse Farrell stepped up to the plate. Farrell smacked a double into left field that was followed by a sac bunt from Maddie Schmidt to advance her to third. Ariana Martinez then roped an RBI single through the right side to tie the game 1-1 and force extra innings. After a scoreless eighth inning, the Bison hit a solo homer in the top of the ninth and shut down the Rebels in the bottom half. 

GAME 2: UNLV 8, NDSU 5
In the bottom of the first, the Rebels went ahead as Maddie Schmidt began the rally with a single to right. Skyler Shaw then doubled down the left field line to give UNLV runners on the corners. Jesse Farrell then went yard over the left field wall to give UNLV a 3-0 lead. The Bison did not go down without a fight as they took a 4-3 lead in the top of the second inning. UNLV then answered back in the bottom of the second as Farrell singled to center which brought speedy Schmidt home to tie up the game 4-all. Alyssa Trejo sent a ball deep to right for a sac fly, that brought Farrell home and made it 5-4. After two scoreless innings, North Dakota State tied it up 5-all in the top of the fifth inning. Ariana Martinez led off the bottom of the fifth inning on a beautiful triple to right center. Alyssa Trejo then smacked an RBI double to give the Rebels a 6-5 lead. Alanna Thiede retired the Bison in order in the top of the sixth inning to give the Rebels a chance to extend the lead. After a Schmidt single in the bottom of the sixth, Farrell sent her second home run of the game over the center field wall to give UNLV insurance heading into the final frame, 8-5.  The Bison was able to get a runner on with one out in the top of the seventh inning, but Thiede then got a fly out to center and Schmidt had an amazing dive in the infield to close out the ball game.

UP NEXT: The Rebels and Bison will play the rubber match on Sunday, April 7 at 12 p.m.