PHOENIX, Ariz. (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV softball team is back in the win column after collecting a 9-0 run-rule victory in six innings against Eastern Illinois and securing a 5-2 win over UC Riverside.
 
The Rebels (9-10) outhit their opponents 16-13 through two games and only allowed two runs on the day. Emma Wardlaw and Yanina Sherwood earned victories in the circle for the Scarlet & Gray. Against the Panthers (5-14), the Rebels out-hit them 8-5 and did not allow a run. Wardlaw threw all six innings for the second victory of the season. Three different Rebels hit home runs against EIU, which included Rachel Cook, Natalie Turner and Bri Williams. Against the Highlanders (2-11), Keyannah Chavez was 3-for-4 including a double. Turner was 2-for-2 and had a walk. Sherwood earned her third win, in relief.
 
GAME 1: UNLV 9, Eastern Illinois 0 (6 innings)
 
Both squads were held off the board in the first two innings, until the Rebels broke it open in the top of the third. Natalie Turner led things off in the top of the third with a solo homer over the left field wall. With runners on second and third with one out, Keyannah Chavez roped a double to center scoring both runs to give UNLV a 3-0 lead. Rachel Cook kept the bats rolling and led off the top of the fifth inning with a solo homer to left, 4-0. Chavez then singled up the middle on the first pitch she saw. Bri Williams then left the yard with a two-run homer to give UNLV a 6-0 lead. In the top of the sixth inning, the Rebels tacked on three runs to put themselves in run-rule victory position, 9-0. In the bottom half of the sixth, the Panthers tried to put something together with two runners on and one out, but the Rebels retired Eastern Illinois on a strikeout and a ground ball to collect the win.
 
GAME 2: UNLV 5, UC Riverside 2
 
The Rebels jumped out front in the first inning on a Keyannah Chavez RBI single up the middle,1-0. In the top of the second inning, UNLV tacked on four more runs on two hits and took advantage of a Highlander's error. However, UCR cut the lead to three after a two-run double to left center, 5-2, in the bottom of the second inning. Both squads were held scoreless for the next five innings, which included a quick three up and three down in the bottom of the seventh inning for the Rebels to secure the victory.
 
OTHER NOTES:

• For the day, Turner batted .750 (3-for-4), which included a home run, three runs scored and had two walks.
• Chavez hit a combined .625 (5-for-8) including two doubles and four RBI.
• Williams was .500 (3-for-6) through two games which included a team-high five RBI and a home run.
• Charelle Aki extended her hitting streak to now a team-high 11 straight games. She has also reached base safely in 13 consecutive games.
• Chavez is now on a five game hitting streak and has reached base in 15 straight games.
• Taryn Calderon has extended her on-base streak to 12 straight games.

 
UP NEXT: The Rebels will close out the ASU/GCU Invitational on Sunday, March 1 at 9 a.m. PT/10 a.m. MT against Wisconsin at Farrington Stadium.