LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV softball team will take the first road trip of the season, heading to the East Coast for the next tournament. The Rebels will compete at the Garnet & Black Invitational hosted by No. 24 South Carolina beginning on Friday, Feb. 21- Sunday, Feb. 23. The Scarlet & Gray join Boston, Fordham and host South Carolina for the tournament.
 
SCHEDULE:
Friday, February 21 - Boston vs. UNLV at 9 a.m. PT/12 p.m. ET
Friday, February 21 - Fordham vs. UNLV at 11:30 a.m. PT/2:30 p.m. ET
 
Saturday, February 22 - Boston vs. UNLV at 7:30 a.m. PT/10:30 a.m. ET
Saturday, February 22 - Fordham vs. UNLV at 3 p.m. PT/6 p.m. ET
 
Sunday, February 23 - UNLV at #24 South Carolina at 9:30 a.m. PT/12:30 p.m. ET
 
UNLV vs. the field
All-time vs. BOSTON: 1-0
Streak: Win 1
First meeting: Won 3-0 on March 7, 2004
Last meeting: Won 3-0 on March 7, 2004
 
All-time vs. FORDHAM: 1-1
Streak: Loss 1
First meeting: Won 7-3 on March 13, 2007
Last meeting: Fordham won 4-0 on Feb. 27,2010
 
All-time vs. SOUTH CAROLINA: 4-3
Streak: Loss 1
First meeting: Won 8-5 on March 7, 1993
Last meeting: South Carolina won 6-0 on Feb. 14, 2003
 
BROADCAST INFO: The Garnet & Black Invitational will only have a stream for games vs. South Carolina on SECN+. Live stats are available on UNLVRebels.com
 
NEXT SERIES: UNLV will continue play on the road, next heading to California for a tournament hosted by UC Santa Barbara on Friday, Feb. 28 - Sunday, March 2. The Rebels join Saint Mary's, Creighton and the Gauchos for a five-game weekend.
 
LAST TIME ON THE FIELD: UNLV went undefeated (4-0) in its Rebel Classic against Monmouth and Idaho State. Ariana Martinez batted a .500 (7-for-14) for the weekend, collecting  three doubles, seven RBI and a home run. Sofia Morales batted a .462 (6-for-13) through the weekend which included a double and three RBI. Jazmine Chavez and Amelia Weber each collected a victory and Yanina Sherwood went 2-0 in her two appearances. The Rebels out-hit their opponents 37-20 through four games and batted a .374 combined. During the Rebel Classic, the Scarlet & Gray picked up two shutout run-rule victories.
 
350 CAREER WINS: Head coach Kristie Fox collected her 350th career win on Feb. 14, 2025 in the 4-3 victory over Idaho State in the opening game of the UNLV Rebel Classic. Fox currently has an overall head coaching record of 353-254 and an UNLV head coach recording of 219-117. Fox collected her 200th win at the helm of the Rebels last season on March 28, 2024 in the 7-3 victory over Utah State.
 
LAST YEAR: The Rebels had an overall record of 31-19 including a 14-8 MW record and a trip to the MW Championships. Maddie Scmidt was named MW Defensive Player of the Year. Ariana Martinez picked up All-MW first team honors and Schmidt and Ellie Zellien garnered All-MW second team honors.
 
MOUNTAIN WEST PRESEASON: UNLV is predicted to finish fourth in the Mountain West this season. The whole list is as follows: 1. San Diego State; 2. Fresno State; 3. Boise State; 4. UNLV; 5. Nevada; 6. Colorado State; 7. Utah State; 8. New Mexico; 9. San Jose State.
 
Senior Ariana Martinez and sophomore Jesse Farrell were named to the preseason All-MW team.
 
REBELS' SQUAD: UNLV returns 6 letterwinners, including three position starters. All-Mountain West and NFCA All-West selection Ariana Martinez returns along with NFCA All-West recipient Jesse Farrell and Sofia Morales. Charelle Aki, Kailani Olivas and Bri Willams also return to the Rebels this season. UNLV welcomes 15 newcomers to the squad which include: freshmen Gwyn Burnett, Jazmine Chavez, Mantha Hatzenbeller, Kamryn Messick and Yanina Sherwood; sophomores: Ellie Bostedt, Bri Hamilton, Brooke Pisciotta and Sage Vandemark; juniors: Maddie Scott, Diamond Sefe, Maggie Vasa and Amelia Weber; senior Karmyna Becerra and graduate student Destinee Noury.
 
The Rebels bring back three of the top-five hitters from last season which includes Martinez, Farrell and Morales. Martinez led the squad with a .396 batting average, and posted team-highs in doubles (15), RBI (51), slugging percentage (.708) and on-base percentage (503). Farrell hit .359 with 12 doubles and a team-high 11 home runs. Farrell also had 46 RBI and the second-highest slugging percentage with a .683. Morales started all 50 games last season and batted a .350 with three doubles and two triples. Morales also had 19 RBI.