LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) -
Rachel Cook hit a go-ahead two-run single in the bottom of the sixth inning to propel the UNLV softball team to a 5-3 victory against UNR in game one of the three-game Mountain West series on Thursday evening at Eller Media Stadium. This game is part of the Silver State Series presented by America First Credit Union. The Rebels (29-20, 16-7) and Wolf Pack (37-15, 16-7) are now tied in second in the league standings.
Keyannah Chavez and Cook led the Scarlet & Gray offense against UNR. Chavez was 1-for-1 which was a two-run blast over the right field wall. Chavez additionally drew a team-high three walks. Cook was 1-for-2 with two walks.
Lyla Gonzalez and
Charelle Aki were each 1-for-3 on the night. Gonzalez had an RBI single to get the Rebels on the board first in the bottom of the second.
Yanina Sherwood earned the win in relief for her 11th on the season. Sherwood did not allow a hit or a run in the 2.0 innings of work. She had one strikeout, which was the final out of the game.
HOW IT WENT DOWN: Both squads were held off the board in the first inning. In the bottom of the second with two outs,
Mantha Hatzenbeller singled through the left side. Cook then drew a five-pitch walk to give UNLV runners on first and second. Gonzalez then hit a single back up the middle bringing in Hatzenbeller to give the Rebels a 1-0 lead.
Natalie Turner led off the bottom of the third inning with a single through the right side. Chavez then smacked a home run that was nearly robbed, but went over the right field fence to put UNLV up 3-0. The next two innings were scoreless on both sides. In the top of the sixth inning, the Wolf Pack tied the game 3-all on an RBI single and a two-run double to left center. Chavez led off the bottom half of the sixth with a walk.
Hailey Gilbertson was then put in to run for Chavez and got to second base on a UNR wild pitch.
Diamond Sefe hit a hard ground ball to second putting runners on the corners for the Rebels. Aki then drew a four-pitch walk to load the bases. On a full count, Cook then singled through the right side bringing in two runs to give UNLV the lead back, 5-3. In the top of the seventh with one out, UNR earned a walk. The Wolf Pack then hit a ball to third base and Cook got the lead runner out at second. UNR was then down to its final strike on an 0-2 and Sherwood caught the Wolf Pack batter swinging to secure the win.
OTHER NOTES:
- Head coach Kristie Fox collected her 400th career win as a head coach. She has now earned another milestone on the season as she earned her 250th win at the helm of the Rebels on March 17, 2026 against Utah Tech.
- Turner, Sefe, Aki, Barnes and Hatzenbeller all had a hit against UNR.
- Barnes threw out two Wolf Pack including the conference stolen base leader.
- Bri Wiliams was hit by a pitch, which brings her single-season count to 21. She is now only two away from the program record.
- The Rebels had a team-high nine walks against the Wolf Pack.
- Chavez is now on a 20-game reached base streak.
- Sefe has now reached base in 16 straight games.
- Gonzalez has extended her on-base streak to 10 consecutive games.
UP NEXT: The Rebels and Wolf Pack will battle it out again in game two of the series on Friday, May 1 at 3 p.m. at Eller Media Stadium.
