LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV softball team run-ruled North Dakota State 16-7 in five innings on Sunday at Eller Media Stadium. The Rebels earned the series 2-1 over the Bison in the three-game non conference series.
 
The Scarlet & Gray (24-12) fell behind in the first inning, 2-0, against the Bison (16-25), but UNLV responded in the bottom of the first inning to take the lead and never looked back. The Rebels' offense exploded for 14 hits to go with a season-high 16 runs to earn the eighth run-rule victory of the season. UNLV scored 11 runs in the first inning, which marked the most runs scored in an inning thus far. Ellie Zellien collected her sixth win of the season in the circle.

SERIES = OUR'S!!!!! pic.twitter.com/gKKOSgAISO
— UNLV Softball (@UNLVSoftball) April 7, 2024
 

EXPLOSIVE FIRST INNING: Although North Dakota State jumped out front in the top of the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. UNLV's bats were alive as they came to the plate in the bottom half of the first. Maddie Schmidt led off with an infield single. Skyler Shaw then roped a triple to right center scoring Schmidt to cut the deficit in half, 2-1. Jesse Farrell also hit an infield single to bring Shaw across the plate to tie the game 2-all. The rally continued as Ariana Martinez then singled through the right side to give UNLV runners on first and second. Alyssa Trejo then took the second pitch she saw to the left center wall for a double, to bring in two runs and give UNLV a 4-2 lead. Sofia Morales then drew a walk on four straight pitches before Janyssa Martin laid down a beauty of a bunt to move Morales to second and Trejo to third. Kelsie Kelso was hit by a pitch which loaded the bases for Marisa Bowman. Bowman sent one back up the middle on the first pitch she saw, which cleared the bases to give UNLV a 7-2 lead. The Rebels' bats forced a pitching change early for the Bison, but that didn't faze UNLV as Schmidt smacked a double off the new NDSU pitcher to bring Bowman home, 8-2. With runners on second and third with two outs, Martinez went yard on a 1-1 count over the right center field wall to give UNLV an 11-2 lead after the first inning.
 
OTHER NOTES:

• Ariana Martinez had a day at the plate going 3-for-4 including a three-run home run. Martinez had four RBI and scored two runs for the Rebels.
• Maddie Schmidt was 2-for-3 on the day with one RBI and crossed the plate three times.
• Sofia Morales was 2-for-2 and scored two runs on the day.
• Charelle Aki came in clutch on a pinch hit in the bottom of the second inning with a single to right center that brought in two runs. Aki's two RBI marked a new career-high.
• Skyler Shaw hit her third triple of the season and crossed the plate a career-high three times.

 
UP NEXT: The Rebels will not need to travel for their next series as intrastate rival UNR will come to town for a three-game Mountain West series beginning on Friday, April 12 and concluding on Sunday, April 14. This game is part of the Silver State Series, presented by America First Credit Union.