LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV softball team went undefeated on day one of the Red & Black Classic on Friday at Eller Media Stadium. The Rebels (11-11) run-ruled Utah Tech (8-13) 13-5 in six innings and closed out the night with a 7-2 victory over North Dakota State (11-10).
 
Diamond Sefe and Natalie Turner led the UNLV offense each going 1.000 on the day. Sefe was 3-for-3 which included a home run and three runs scored. Turner was 4-for-4 including three walks, an RBI and crossed the plate three times for the Rebels. Charelle Aki and Mantha Hatzenbeller each had a grand slam on the day. Aki also had a solo homer on the day. Lauren Fettic and Yanina Sherwood both collected wins in the circle for the Scarlet & Gray.
 
GAME 1: UNLV 13, Utah Tech 5 (6 innings)
 
After a scoreless first inning, the Rebels jumped out front in the bottom of the second 4-0 thanks to a grand slam by Mantha Hatzenbeller. However, the Trailblazers took the lead in the top of the third inning scoring five runs on six hits and took advantage of a Rebels error, 5-4. UNLV answered in the bottom of the fourth inning with back-to-back home runs by Charelle Aki and Diamond Sefe to take a 6-5 lead. The bats kept rolling in the bottom of the fourth as Lyla Gonzalez had a two-run single up the middle to go ahead 8-5. In the bottom of the fifth, Sefe hit a single through the right side that eventually got away from the right fielder to score a run and made it 9-5. Sefe then scored from third on a passed ball to double the lead to go up by five, 10-5. Taryn Calderon led off the bottom half of the sixth with a double. Rachel Cook then singled to right center bringing Calderon home, 11-5. Keyannah Chavez roped a double to left to give UNLV runners in scoring position. Bri Williams hit a single of her own to right which brought a run in and made it 12-5. Natalie Turner came to the plate and hit a single through the left side bringing a run home to give UNLV a run-rule victory.
 
GAME 2: UNLV 7, North Dakota State 2
 
Both teams were held off the scoreboard in the first two innings, until the Rebels broke it open in the bottom of the third. Calderon hit a single to center with one out. After the second out, Chavez drew a walk to give UNLV runners on first and second. After a Bison wild pitch, Calderon and Chavez were in scoring position. Williams then drew a five-pitch walk to load the bases. With a 1-0 count, Aki roped a homer over the right field wall for a grand slam to put UNLV ahead 4-0. In the bottom of the fourth inning, UNLV picked up three more runs on four hits to make it 7-0. North Dakota State scored a run in the top of the fifth inning on a single down the left field line, 7-1. In the top of the sixth, NDSU added another run on a solo home run to left field, 7-2. The Rebels were held off the board in the bottom half of the sixth. In the top of the seventh inning, the Bison had a runner on second with no outs. Reagen Everett struck out the next batter and NDSU was then retired on two fly outs to the outfield to close out the game.
 
OTHER NOTES:

• Aki hit a combined .667 (4-for-6) and led the squad with a combined five RBI.
• Calderon had three hits on the day, which included a double and scored two runs for UNLV.
• Lyla Gonzalez was 2-for-5 on the day with a walk, and had a combined four RBI.
• Fettic earned the victory against Utah Tech in relief and is now 4-4 on the season.
• Sherwood picked up the win against NDSU and is now 4-5 on the season.
• Aki has now extended her hitting streak to 14 games and has reached base in 15 straight games.
• Calderon is now on a 15 game on-base streak.
• Williams has now reached base in 10 straight games.

 
UP NEXT: The Rebels continue their Red & Black Classic on Saturday, March 7 with two games. First, the Scarlet & Gray will play LMU at 3 p.m. and close out the night against NDSU at 6