LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV softball team was unable to hold on against No. 21 South Carolina and fell 9-4 in the Garnet & Black Invitational finale on Sunday at Carolina Softball Stadium.
 
The Rebels (9-5) took an early 4-1 lead after the first inning, but the Gamecocks (15-0) scored eight unanswered runs to capture the win. Charelle Aki led the Scarlet & Gray at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two RBI.
 
HOW IT WENT DOWN: On the first pitch of the game, Ariana Martinez was hit and took first base. Karmyna Becerra sent one back up the middle on a 0-2 count giving UNLV runners on first and second with no outs in the top of the first. Jesse Farrell smacked a double to the warning track in left, scoring Martinez to make it 1-0. Charelle Aki went opposite and singled to right center bringing Becerra and Farrell home to give the Rebels a 3-0 lead. With a runner on third, Diamond Sefe hit a ball to the right side and reached on a fielder's choice as the Rebels' runner on third slid into home plate being called safe as the Gamecocks' catcher dropped the ball and made it 4-0. South Carolina answered with a run in the bottom of the first, cutting the deficit to three, 4-1. The second inning was scoreless on both sides and the Gamecocks got within one in the bottom of the third, 4-3. In the bottom of the fifth inning, South Carolina tied the game 4-all on a double to left center. The Gamecocks then scored five runs on five hits in the bottom of the sixth inning to take a 9-4 lead. In the top half of the final frame, the Rebels made solid contact but right to the Gamecocks and were retired in order.
 
OTHER NOTES:

• The Rebels are now 4-4 all-time against the Gamecocks.
• Charelle Aki was 2-for-4 including two RBI on the day.
• Jesse Farrell was 1-for-3 and had one RBI against South Carolina.
• Martinez has now reached base in every UNLV game this season.
• Bri Williams is on a six-game hitting streak and has reached base in 12 consecutive games.
• Sofia Morales and Aki led the Rebels through five games at the Garnet & Black Invitational each batting .400.
• Morales was 6-for-15 including a double.
• Aki was 4-for-10 including a double and five RBI, which also led the Scarlet & Gray through the weekend.
• Yanina Sherwood and Amelia Weber each collected a victory over the weekend.

 
UP NEXT: The Rebels 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. UNLV will open the tournament against Saint Mary's on Friday, Feb. 28 at 9 a.m.