One night after getting blanked in the season opener, UNLV erupted for its first win of 2026 Friday night. The Rebels rolled past Illinois-Chicago 14-3 in five innings at Eller Media Stadium in the UNLV Leadoff Classic.
UNLV piled up 12 hits and launched four home runs. Most importantly, the Rebels broke the game open with an eight-run fourth. As a result, it ended in a run-rule finish.
Chavez sets the tempo
Illinois-Chicago struck first with a two-run single from Larissa Orti in the top of the first, but UNLV’s response built quickly.
Freshman Taryn Calderon tied it in the bottom of the second with a two-run homer to deep left.
UNLV then seized control in the third. Natalie Turner scored the go-ahead run when Keyannah Chavez drilled an RBI double to center, and the inning only got louder from there. Charelle Aki followed with a two-run homer, and Presley Barnes added a solo shot later in the frame as the Rebels stretched the lead to 6-2.
The steal that cracked it open
UIC pulled one back in the fourth on a Cameran Rios RBI single, but UNLV answered with the inning that decided the game.
The bottom of the fourth opened with chaos and aggression, highlighted by Calderon stealing home to spark the rally. Chavez delivered again with a two-run single, Barnes knocked in another with a single and UNLV kept moving runners until the inning ended with a statement swing.
Bri Williams crushed a three-run homer to deep center to cap the eight-run outburst and push the lead to 14-3.
Numbers that mattered
Chavez paced UNLV’s offense with a perfect 3-for-3 night, finishing with a double and three RBI. Barnes went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI, pairing her production at the plate with steady work behind it. Williams was 2-for-2 with a three-run homer, while Calderon went 1-for-1 with a homer, two RBI, two runs scored, a walk and a hit by pitch.
In the circle, Lauren Fettic worked 3.2 innings, allowing three runs while striking out three. Amelia Weber handled the top of the fifth, retiring Illinois-Chicago three up, three down with a strikeout to close out the run-rule win.
UNLV finished 12-for-23 at the plate and hit .522 as a team, consistently cashing in on chances with runners aboard.
Up next
UNLV continues the UNLV Leadoff Classic on Saturday, Feb. 7, facing California Baptist at 3 p.m. PT at Eller Media Stadium.
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Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Athletics, and UNLV baseball and softball. He has 24 years of journalism experience, is also a senior reporter at Exhibit City News, and previously covered the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Follow him on X or connect on LinkedIn.
