SAN JOSE, Calif. (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV softball team was unable to complete the comeback and fell short, 4-3, against San Jose State in the series finale of the Mountain West opener series on Sunday afternoon at Spartan Softball Complex.
 
Five different Rebels (13-15, 1-2) had hits against the Spartans (10-16, 2-1), while freshmen Taryn Calderon and Lyla Gonzalez each also had an RBI. Junior Charelle Aki and sophomore Mantha Hatzenbeller both drew walks for the Scarlet & Gray. Sophomore Yanina Sherwood had a season-high five strikeouts in her 3.1 innings pitched.
 
HOW IT WENT DOWN: After two scoreless innings, the Spartans took a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the third on back-to-back singles to the outfield. In the top of the fourth, Taryn Calderon hit a single to left center with one out. Calderon then stole second. With two outs, Charelle Aki drew a four-pitch walk, but on the third ball thrown to Aki, the Spartans attempted to throw Calderon out at second, but an overthrown ball was able to let Calderon come across the plate and made it 4-1. In the top of the seventh inning, Diamond Sefe led things off with a single through the left side. Natalie Turner followed with a single of her own through the left side to give UNLV runners on first and second with no outs. After a Spartan's pitching change, Mantha Hatzenbeller drew a walk to load the bases. With one out, Lyla Gonzalez hit an infield single to bring in a run and cut the deficit to two, 4-2. The Rebels then took advantage of a Spartans' error to score a run and get within one, 4-3. However, UNLV was then retired for the last out on a pop up to second in shallow right field
 
OTHER NOTES:

• Calderon, Sefe and Turner all crossed the plate for the Rebels.
• In the series, Sefe led the squad at the plate batting a combined .625 (5-for-8) including a double, an RBI and had one walk. She also scored two runs. Sefe is now on a three-game hitting streak.
• Mantha Hatzenbeller had a triple and a home run over the weekend and led UNLV in RBI with two.
• Lauren Fettic, Emma Wardlaw, Yanina Sherwood and Raegen Everett all saw action in the circle this weekend against the Spartans.
• Bri Williams has extended her on-base streak to 16 straight games.

UP NEXT: The Scarlet & Gray will be back home for a four-game homestand first hosting Utah Tech on Tuesday, March 17 for a midweek contest at 4 p.m. The Rebels will then remain home for a three-game MW series against San Diego State on Friday, March 20 - Sunday, March 22.