BOISE, Idaho (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV softball team held on and defeated Boise State 6-5 in the three-game Mountain West series opener on Friday evening at Huber Field at Dona Larsen Park. The Rebels (25-18, 12-5) put together four runs in the top of the fourth inning against the Broncos (20-27, 6-11) and never let go of the lead.
 
Keyannah Chavez and Charelle Aki led the UNLV offense against the Broncos. Chavez was 2-for-3 including an RBI, walk and scored a run. Aki went 2-for-4 on the day and was tied for the team-high in RBI with two. Presley Barnes roped her fourth homer of the season, which was a two-run shot. Lauren Fettic went the distance in her hometown for her fifth complete game of the season. Fettic is now 11-7 in the circle for the Rebels.
 
HOW IT WENT DOWN: After two scoreless innings, the Broncos took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third on an RBI double to left. In the top of the fourth with one out, Natalie Turner put down a bunt single to the pitcher. Keyannah Chavez then singled up the middle to give UNLV runners on first and second. Diamond Sefe then walked after five pitches to load the bases. Charelle Aki then singled to left center bringing in two runners to give UNLV a 2-1 lead. With a 0-1 count, Presley Barnes went yard over the center field wall to put the Rebels ahead 4-1. In the top of the fifth inning, UNLV tallied two more runs on two hits and made it 6-1. However, the Broncos answered with two runs of their own on a two-run homer to cut the deficit in half, 6-3. In the bottom of the seventh, Boise State closed the gap to one after a two-run home run. The Broncos tried to continue the threat with a base runner on and two outs, but a line out to right field closed the game.
 
OTHER NOTES

• Diamond Sefe was 1-for-2 on the night and walked twice. She also crossed the plate once. Sefe has now reached base in 10 straight games.
• Lyla Gonzalez was also 1-for-2 against the Broncos with a run scored.
• Turner was 1-for-3 against Boise State. She has now extended her hitting streak to eight games and her on-base streak to 18 games.
• Chavez has now reached base in 14 consecutive games.
• Cook is now on an eight game on-base streak.

UP NEXT: The Rebels and Broncos will play game two on Saturday, April 18 at 1 p.m. PT/2 p.m. MT.