LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV Softball team collected the series after earning a 4-3 win over San Diego State on Friday at Eller Media Stadium in game two of the final Mountain West regular season series. The Rebels and Aztecs are currently tied for first-place in the conference standings and a champion will be crowned in the series finale.
The Rebels (31-16, 14-7 MW) jumped out front 2-0 in the bottom of the first inning over the Aztecs (27-18, 14-7 MW). UNLV then tacked on two more in the bottom of the third to hold a 4-0 lead heading into the final three innings. Although San Diego State scored three runs in the top of the seventh, the Scarlet & Gray defense laid it all out to hold onto the victory.
Alanna Thiede earned her 16th win of the season, and now has a 16-6 overall record including a 6-5 in MW play.
Ellie Zellien came in to collect her second save of the season.
THE TURNING POINT: As the Rebels headed into the final inning with a 4-0 lead, the Aztecs started a rally and scored three runs to cut the deficit to one, 4-3. With two outs, and on a 2-1 count, San Diego State popped the ball up over first base into foul territory and Bowman laid out to catch and hold onto the ball to close out the game.
OTHER NOTES:
- The Rebels are playing for their first Mountain West regular season title. The last time UNLV was in the hunt for the title was during the 2014 season.
- Jesse Farrell went 2-for-4 against the Aztecs today including two RBI.
- Janyssa Martin was 2-for-3 on the day including a RBI and a run scored.
- Maddie Schmidt went 2-for-4 on the day including a triple and scored a run.
- Alyssa Trejo was 2-for-3 against San Diego State.
- UNLV rolled two double plays today against SDSU.
- The Rebels and Aztecs were even on hits 10-10.
HIGHLIGHTS:
UP NEXT: UNLV and San Diego State will battle it out for the Mountain West regular season title in the series finale on Saturday, May 4 at 12 p.m. The Rebels will also honor their 10 seniors following the game.
