UNLV softball turned Saturday into a statement at Eller Media Stadium, ripping two run-rule wins to sweep day three of the Rebel Classic. The Rebels (6-8) rolled Idaho State (6-7) 14-6 in six innings, then blanked Merrimack (0-3) 8-0 in five.
Along the way, UNLV out-hit its opponents 18-10 across the doubleheader. More importantly, Lauren Fettic owned the circle. She earned both wins and did not allow a run over 7.2 innings. Meanwhile, the Rebels played clean defense and committed one error in the two games.
Double Trouble at Eller
UNLV wasted no time putting pressure on Idaho State in Game 1. In the first, the Rebels took advantage of miscues. Then Charelle Aki ripped a two-run double to make it 3-0.
Next, UNLV built on it in the second. Taryn Calderon and Rachel Cook helped set the table. After that, Keyannah Chavez drove a two-run double to push the lead to five.
In the third, the Rebels stayed on the attack. Natalie Turner dropped a bunt single and stole second. She later scored on Maddie Scott’s RBI single up the middle. As a result, UNLV carried a 6-0 lead through three.
Tie Game, Quick Answer
However, Idaho State surged back in the fourth. A string of extra-base hits erased the deficit and tied it 6-6.
Still, UNLV answered right away. Diamond Sefe broke the tie with a solo homer to left in the fifth. Shortly after, Calderon lifted a sacrifice fly. Then Cook lined an RBI single.
Finally, Aki delivered the decisive blow. She cleared the bases with a three-run double down the right-field line to make it 12-6. In the sixth, UNLV added two more on wild pitches. That sealed the run rule.
Numbers That Mattered
Aki finished 2-for-4 with two doubles and five RBI. Chavez went 3-for-3 with a double and two RBI. Cook reached base four times, going 2-for-2 with two walks. She also scored three runs.
Second-Inning Spark, Third-Inning Sprint
In Game 2, UNLV flipped the game in the second and never looked back. The Rebels scored three in the inning. First, Sefe came home on a passed ball. Then Lyla Gonzalez doubled to left to drive in an unearned run. After that, Cook drilled an RBI double to deep center for a 3-0 lead.
Next came the separation inning. In the third, UNLV poured in five more. Bri Williams drew a walk, and Mantha Hatzenbeller ran for her. Hatzenbeller swiped second and third, then scored on Aki’s RBI double. Soon after, Sefe added an RBI single. Gonzalez followed with a two-run triple to deep center. She later scored on another passed ball. Consequently, UNLV stretched it to 8-0.
Fettic Slammed the Door
Fettic stayed in complete control. She threw a five-inning one-hitter with six strikeouts and three walks. With it, she earned her third win of the season.
At the plate, Gonzalez went 2-for-2 with a double, a triple and three RBI. Aki went 2-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI. Cook added an RBI double and finished 1-for-3.
Up Next
UNLV closes out the Rebel Classic on Sunday, Feb. 22 against Merrimack at 2:30 p.m. PT at Eller Media Stadium. The game will be streamed on YouTube.
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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.
