LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV softball team secured a 7-4 victory over Utah State in game one of the two-game Mountain West series on Saturday afternoon at Eller Media Stadium. The Rebels (23-18, 10-5) and Aggies (16-24, 5-10) exchanged runs in the fourth and fifth inning, but a four-run bottom of the fifth put the Scarlet & Gray on top.
Â
Mantha Hatzenbeller,
Rachel Cook and
Lyla Gonzalez led UNLV at the plate against Utah State. Hatzenbeller was 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored. Hatzenbeller roped a three-run homer in the bottom of the fifth and had a double in the fourth. Cook was 2-for-3 on the day and had a walk and scored a run for the Rebels. Gonzalez was also 2-for-3 which included a three-run homer for her first collegiate home run.
Lauren Fettic earned the win in relief for the Rebels. Fettic is now 10-7 overall on the season.
Â
HOW IT WENT DOWN: The first three innings were scoreless by both sides until the bottom of the fourth inning, when the Rebels took a 3-0 lead thanks to a three-run homer by Gonzalez. However, the Aggies countered with a four-run top of the fifth inning on four hits and a Rebels' error to take the lead 4-3. The Rebels didn't shy away as they put up four runs in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI fielder's choice by
Presley Barnes and a three-run home run by Hatzenbeller and made it 7-4. UNLV and Utah State were held off the board in the sixth inning. In the top of the seventh, the Rebels retired the Aggies in order to secure the victory.
Â
OTHER NOTES
- The Rebels out-hit the Aggies 10-7.
- Natalie Turner hit her second triple of the season. Turner is now on a six-game hitting streak and has now reached base in 16 straight games.
- Diamond Sefe was 1-for-3 at the plate and crossed the plate once.
- Gonzalez's three RBI tied her career-high.
- Yanina Sherwood started in the circle for the Rebels and had four strikeouts.
- Cook is also on a six-game hitting streak.
- Hatzenbeller has collected a hit in five straight games.
- Bri Williams has extended her on-base streak to 29 consecutive games.
- Keyannah Chavez is now on a 12-game on-base streak.
UP NEXT: The Rebels and Aggies will close out the two-game series on Sunday, April 12 at 12 p.m. at Eller Media Stadium.
Â