UNLV softball run-rule wins highlight Desert Classic split

UNLV stacked two run-rule wins around a tough middle game to split a three-game stretch at the Desert Classic at Eller Media Stadium.

The Rebels opened with a 10-1 win over Quinnipiac in five innings on Friday night, then dropped a 7-3 decision to Seattle U on Saturday afternoon. UNLV responded Saturday night with a 9-1, five-inning win over Quinnipiac to close the day.

Williams sets the tone Friday

Bri Williams set a school record with nine RBI, hitting two home runs and a bases-clearing double to account for nine of UNLV’s 10 runs in Friday’s 10-1 win.

Quinnipiac scored an unearned run in the top of the first, but UNLV answered right away. Rachel Cook doubled, Charelle Aki walked, and Diamond Sefe singled to load the bases. Williams then crushed a grand slam to deep center to put the Rebels up 4-1.

UNLV added on in the third. Aki homered to center, then Maggie Vasa singled before Williams launched a two-run homer to left to make it 7-1.

The finishing swing came in the fourth. With runners aboard again, Williams ripped a three-run double to left-center to push the lead to 10-1.

Yanina Sherwood earned the win with 4.0 innings, allowing one unearned run on four hits with two strikeouts. Amelia Weber closed it out in the fifth.

One messy frame flips Saturday afternoon

UNLV could not erase an early deficit in Saturday’s 7-3 loss to Seattle U.

Seattle U scored twice in the first, added a solo homer in the third, then built a 6-0 lead with a three-run homer in the fourth.

UNLV answered in the bottom of the fourth. Sefe singled, Natalie Turner walked, and Taryn Calderon delivered a pinch-hit single to load the bases. With two outs, Vasa reached on an error and three runs scored on the play to cut it to 6-3.

Seattle U tacked on an RBI double in the fifth, and UNLV did not score again.

Keyannah Chavez went 2-for-3 with a double. Sefe reached twice with a hit and a walk. UNLV drew four walks and was hit by three pitches.

Lauren Fettic took the loss after 3.2 innings, allowing five runs, three earned. Sherwood worked the final 3.1 innings and allowed two runs with three strikeouts.

Saturday night bounce-back ends early

UNLV’s bats came alive again Saturday night in a 9-1 run-rule win over Quinnipiac.

The Rebels struck first in the second. Calderon singled, then Williams lined an RBI single to left-center. Mantha Hatzenbeller followed with an RBI single to right-center to score Williams and make it 2-0.

UNLV broke it open in the third. Cook walked and stole second, Chavez singled and stole second, and Aki lifted a sacrifice fly to center that brought home two runs. Later, Calderon blasted a two-run homer to center, and Hatzenbeller followed with a two-run homer to center on the first pitch she saw to make it 8-0.

Quinnipiac scored an unearned run in the fourth. UNLV ended it in the fifth. Aki singled, Sefe laid down a sacrifice bunt, and the bases were loaded. Hatzenbeller then dropped an RBI single into right field to trigger the run rule.

Hatzenbeller went 3-for-3 with four RBI, including her first career home run. Calderon finished 2-for-2 with a homer, two RBI, a walk and three runs scored. Williams went 2-for-2 with an RBI and was hit by a pitch.

Emma Wardlaw earned the win by going all five innings. She allowed one unearned run on four hits with two strikeouts. Williams is currently on a three-game hitting streak. Chavez has reached base safely in five straight games.

Up next

UNLV closes the Desert Classic on Sunday, Feb. 15, against UC Davis at 12 p.m. PT at Eller Media Stadium.

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