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Rebels Race To Checkered Flag Over Vikings UNLV needed eight innings to earn a 3-2 victory Sunday.
March 11, 2007
LAS VEGAS - On the same day as NASCAR held its annual race in Las Vegas, the UNLV softball team (19-11) needed extra time in the finale of the Eller Media Stadium Classic to edge Portland State (7-9), 3-2. Through the first seven innings of play, two runs were scored, while the eighth inning produced three. Fortunately, Kelli Fangonilo's single to shallow right was enough to bring home the tying and winning runs. UNLV pushed out to an early 1-0 lead with help from two hits and a Portland State error. Jaci Hull got things started with a single to left and moved to second on a bunt single by Fangonilo. Kendall Fearn came up to the plate with one out and hit a grounder to the Vikinigs' Stephanie Bean, who proceeded to overthrow Katie Stokes at third. Hull was awarded home when the throw went into UNLV's dugout. PSU's hurler, Mandy Hill, helped herself out when she hit a solo shot to center on an offering from Heather Slettvet in the sixth. With the score tied 1-1, the international tie-breaker was put into effect. Sammy Taylor was placed on second as a pinch-runner for Hill. Taylor wound up scoring on a single up the middle by Stokes to open the inning against Stephanie Bregante. UNLV came up to bat trailing 2-1, but turned the game around on Fangonilo's two-run single. Caitlyn Paus was placed on second prior to Brittany Bolinger's at-bat. Bolinger moved Paus to third on a bunt-single towards third. Bolinger put herself in scoring position when she stole second. Hull came up and was intentionally walked to load the bases for Fangonilo's heroics.
The teams combined for 25 runners left on base, with UNLV leaving 14 stranded. The sixth inning was the only frame that the Rebels left the bases empty, while there were six occasions when two or three runners were left on the base paths. The Vikings had four innings where they left two runners on base. Bregante (6-5) picked up the win in 2.1 innings of relief. She was the third pitched used by UNLV on the day. She gave up only one hit, one unearned run and two walks, while striking out five. Christie Robinson got the start, but lasted only two innings after surrendering five hits. Slettvet tossed the middle 3.2 innings and was touched for one run on one hit. Hill (5-7) took the loss for the Vikings in 7.1 innings. UNLV scattered 11 hits off of Hill, while scoring three run (one earned). She struck out five batters and walked two. UNLV hits the road after playing 24 of its 30 games at Eller Media Stadium. The Rebels head to the campus of Cal State Fullerton in Fullerton, Calif., on Tuesday, March 13 to play games against #8/8 Texas and Fordham. The two-game set is slated for a 5:00 pm first pitch. UNLV will stay on the road next weekend with a three-day trip to Tampa, Fla., for the USF-Speedline Invitational from March 16-18. |
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