FRESNO, Calif. (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV softball team evened the series against Fresno State after securing a 5-4 victory in game two on Saturday afternoon at Margie Wright Diamond. The Rebels (17-17, 4-4) held the Bulldogs (14-14, 3-5) off the board until the fourth inning of play.
Lyla Gonzalez,
Rachel Cook and
Charelle Aki led the Scarlet & Gray offense as Gonzalez was 1-for-2 and Cook was 1-for-3. Gonzalez additionally drew a walk against Fresno State. Cook had a two-run double for the Rebels and a walk. Aki was 1-for-3 on the day.
Lauren Fettic went the distance for her third complete game of the season and her eighth win in the circle.
HOW IT WENT DOWN: Bri Williams was hit by a pitch to lead off the game.
Natalie Turner then hit an infield bunt single to give UNLV runners on first and second.
Keyannah Chavez singled to center bringing in a run, 1-0.
Charelle Aki was then hit by a pitch to load the bases with no outs.
Diamond Sefe drew a five-pitch walk to bring in a run and made it 2-0. With one out,
Mantha Hatzenbeller hit a ground ball to the pitcher for the second out, but it also brought in a run to put the Rebels ahead 3-0.
Rachel Cook then smacked a double to left center bringing in both runners to put UNLV up 5-0 after the first inning. The next two innings were scoreless by both squads, until the Bulldogs got on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning on a two-run single to center, 5-2. In the bottom of the sixth, Fresno State got within one after a two-run single to center, 5-4. In the bottom of the seventh, the Bulldogs tried to get a two-out rally going with a runner on first, but were retired on a pop up to Turner at second for the Rebels to hold on to the victory.
OTHER NOTES:
- Natalie Turner and Keyannah Chavez also had hits on the day and both scored a run. Chavez additionally had an RBI.
- Bri Williams was hit by a pitch twice, which puts her now at 17 on the season.
- Diamond Sefe walked twice and had an RBI.
- Chavez and Turner are now both on five-game hitting streaks.
- Williams has now reached base in 22 consecutive games.
- Aki and Turner are each on nine-game reached base streaks.
UP NEXT: The Rebels and Bulldogs will play a rubber match on Sunday, March 29 at 12 p.m. at Margie Wright Diamond.