TEMPE, Ariz. (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV softball team fell in both games on day one of the ASU/GCU Invitational hosted by Arizona State and Grand Canyon on Friday. The Rebels (7-10) were unable to complete the comeback and came up short 6-5 against UC Riverside (2-10) and fell 9-2 against host Arizona State (16-3).
 
GAME 1: UNLV 5, UC Riverside 6
 
The Highlanders scored first in the top of the second inning, on a double and a wild pitch to take an early 2-0 lead. The third inning was scoreless by both sides, until the end of the fourth when Charelle Aki went yard for a two-run homer to tie the game 2-all. In the top of the fifth inning, UCR went ahead again scoring three runs on four hits, 5-2. The Highlanders grabbed another run in the top of the sixth inning on an RBI double to right, 6-2. In the bottom of the sixth, Aki went yard again to get UNLV within two, 6-4. Taryn Calderon drew a seven-pitch walk to lead off the bottom of the seventh. With two outs, Bri Williams roped her third hit of the day to bring in a run and cut the deficit to one, 6-5. The Rebels were then retired on a fly out to right for the final out.
 
GAME 2: UNLV 2, Arizona State 9
 
In the bottom of the first inning, Arizona State went ahead 4-0 on two two-run home runs. In the top of the third inning with two outs, Maddie Scott hit a ball up the middle to the pitcher with bases loaded and was able to bring a run home and made it 4-1. Keyannah Chavez got the Rebels within two after a solo homer over center field in the top of the fourth inning. In the bottom of the fourth, the Sun Devils scored three runs on three hits to extend the lead 7-2. ASU then added two more in the bottom of the fifth on three hits which made it 9-2. The sixth inning was scoreless on both sides, and in the top of the seventh inning the Rebels had a runner on with one out. However, UNLV was then retired on a fly out to the right side and a ground ball.
 
OTHER NOTES:

• Bri Williams led the UNLV offense going 6-for-7 for the day and had one walk. Williams also crossed the plate twice and had an RBI on the day.
• Charelle Aki was a combined 3-for-5 including two two-run homers against UC Riverside. Aki led the Rebels with a team-high combined four RBI.
• Keyannah Chavez also had three hits on the day including her first homer of the season.

 
UP NEXT: The Rebels are on the field at GCU Softball Stadium on Saturday, Feb. 28 for two games. UNLV will first play Eastern Illinois at 9:30 a.m. PT/10:30 a.m. MT and close out the day against UC Riverside at 12:15 p.m. PT/1:15 p.m. MT.