LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV softball team split the opening day of the UNLV Desert Classic on Friday at Eller Media Stadium. The Rebels fell 5-1 against UC Davis in game one, but bounced back in game two earning a 10-1 run-rule victory over Quinnipiac.
 
Bri Williams led the Scarlet & Gray (2-5) offense hitting a combined .500 (3-for-6) which included two home runs, a double and nine RBI. Williams' nine RBI all happened in game two against the Bobcats (0-2) after she roped a grand slam and a two-run shot for a new single-game program record. Presley Barnes had the Rebels' lone hit against the Aggies (5-2), which was a homer. Yanina Sherwood collected the win for the Rebels against the Bobcats for her first victory of the season.

 
GAME 1: UNLV 1, UC Davis 5
 
The first three innings were a pitcher's duel as both the Rebels and Aggies were held off the board. In the top of the fourth inning, UC Davis tallied two runs on three hits to take a 2-0 lead. The next two innings were scoreless until the Aggies tallied three more runs in the top of the seventh inning. In the bottom half of the seventh, with one out, Presley Barnes went yard over the right field wall and made it 5-1. The Rebels were retired on a ground ball and pop out for the two outs.
 
GAME 2: UNLV 10, Quinnipiac 1 (5 innings)
 
The Bobcats got on the board in the top of the first inning after a shallow ball in the outfield, 1-0. In the bottom of the first with one out, Rachel Cook doubled to center on the first pitch she saw. Charelle Aki then drew a five-pitch walk. Diamond Sefe then came to the plate and hit a single through the left side to load the bases. Now with two outs, Bri Williams roped a grand slam to put the Rebels ahead 4-1 after the first inning. The second inning was scoreless by both squads. In the bottom of the third, Aki kept the bats going and smacked a solo home run over the center field wall, 5-1. With one out, Maggie Vasa hit an infield single to give UNLV a base runner. Williams came to the plate and went yard for the second time to put UNLV ahead 7-1. The Scarlet & Gray shut down Quinnipiac in the top of the fourth. Keyannah Chavez led the bottom half of the fourth off with a four-pitch walk. The Rebels then took advantage of a Bobcats' error to put two runners on. With one out, Sefe then sent the first pitch she saw back up the middle to center loading the bases. With two outs and an 0-1 count, Williams hit a bases clearing double to put UNLV up 10-1. In the top of the fifth, the Bobcats singled to put a runner on with one out. The Rebels then rolled a double play to secure the run-rule victory.

OTHER NOTES:

• Bri Williams was 3-for-3 against the Bobcats, which marked a new career-high for her in hits.
• Diamond Sefe was 2-for-3 in game two against Quinnipiac.
• Natalie Turner hit her first triple of the season against the Bobcats.
• Charelle Aki went 1-for-2 against the Bobcats which included a solo home run.
• Maggie Vasa tied her career-high in runs scored with three against Quinnipiac.
• Keyannah Chavez had two walks on the day, one in each game.

 
UP NEXT: UNLV continues the Desert Classic with two games on Saturday, Feb. 14. The Rebels will first play Seattle U at 3 p.m. and close out the night against Quinnipiac at 6 p.m.