LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV softball team split day two of the UNLV Desert Classic on Saturday at Eller Media Stadium. The Rebels (3-6) fell 7-3 in game one against Seattle U, but the bats came alive and defeated Quinnipiac 9-1 in five innings.
 
Mantha Hatzenbeller and Taryn Calderon led the UNLV offense, each going 3-for-3 on the day with a home run. Hatzenbeller had a team-lead four RBI on the day and crossed the plate once. Calderon had two RBI, a walk and crossed the plate three times for the Rebels. Emma Wardlaw collected her first victory in a Rebel uniform in the win against Quinnipiac.
 
GAME 1: UNLV 3, Seattle U 7
 
The Redhawks jumped out front in the top of the first 2-0. The next inning, both squads were held off the score board, but Seattle U hit a solo home run in the top of the third inning to make it 3-0. In the top of the fourth inning, the Redhawks hit a three-run home run to go up 6-0. In the bottom half of the fourth, UNLV had bases loaded with two outs. The Rebels then took advantage of fielding errors by the Redhawks to clear the bases and cut the deficit in half, 6-3. Seattle U tallied another run in the top of the fifth inning on an RBI double, 7-3. The sixth inning was quick with each squad going three up, three down. The Rebels sat down the Redhawks in the top of the seventh inning as they had two runners on. With two outs, UNLV drew a walk, but was retired for the final out.
 
GAME 2: UNLV 9, Quinnipiac 1 (5 innings)
 
Both squads were held off the board in the first inning, but in the bottom of the second Bri Williams hit an RBI single to left center to put UNLV on the board, 1-0. Mantha Hatzenbeller then singled to right center, bringing Williams home to give the Rebels a 2-0 lead. In the bottom of the third with one out, Rachel Cook drew an eight-pitch walk. Keyannah Chavez then singled to right center giving UNLV runners on the corners. Chavez then stole second with Charelle Aki up to bat. Aki hit a deep fly ball to center that allowed both runners to score and give UNLV a 4-0 lead. Diamond Sefe then drew a five-pitch walk. With two outs, Taryn Calderon went yard over the center field wall and made it 6-0. Bri Williams singled down the right field line with two outs. Mantha Hatzenbeller roped her first career home run over center on the first pitch she saw to make it 8-0. The Bobcats took advantage of a Rebels' error and scored a run in the top of the fourth to make 8-1. In the bottom of the fifth, Aki hit an infield to get things started. Sefe put down a beauty of a sacrifice bunt to give UNLV a runner in scoring position. Calderon then drew a four-pitch walk, followed by Williams getting hit by a pitch to load the bases. Hatzenbeller sent one to right field, dropping in front of the fielder to bring in the game-winning run-rule win.
 
OTHER NOTES:

• Bri Williams batted a combined .750 (3-for-4) on the day with an RBI and was hit by a pitch twice. She also scored two runs for UNLV.
• Chavez went 3-for-5 on the day which included a double and a walk.
• Wardlaw pitched all five innings against the Bobcats striking out two and did not allow an earned run.
• Williams is currently on a three-game hitting streak.
• Chavez has now reached base safely in five straight games.

 
UP NEXT: The Rebels will close out the Desert Classic on Sunday, Feb. 15 at 12 p.m. against UC Davis