The UNLV softball team had its late push, but a four-run third inning proved too much to overcome in a 4-3 loss to San Jose State on Sunday in the Mountain West series finale at Spartan Softball Field.
The Scarlet & Gray dropped the rubber match after three tight games in San Jose and moved to 13-15 overall and 1-2 in conference play. San Jose State improved to 10-16 and 2-1 in the league.
UNLV managed just five hits, but still made things interesting in the seventh before the rally ran out one batter short.
San Jose State broke through in the bottom of the third. Ahmiya Noriega singled, Carly Cummings walked and Leataataofiti Sherlin lined a two-run single up the middle to make it 2-0. One batter later, Shay McDowell added another two-run single to left, pushing the Spartans in front 4-0.
That inning accounted for all four San Jose State runs.
A run scratched back
The Rebels answered with an unearned run in the fourth.
Taryn Calderon singled with one out and stole second. After Charelle Aki drew a walk, Maddie Scott entered to run. On the play, Calderon came home when Scott advanced on an error, trimming the deficit to 4-1.
It was not much, but it kept UNLV within reach.
Calderon, Diamond Sefe, Natalie Turner, Keyannah Chavez and Lyla Gonzalez each had one hit. Gonzalez and Bri Williams were credited with the Rebels’ two RBI in the seventh.
Sherwood gives UNLV a chance
Yanina Sherwood did her part to keep the game from getting away.
After Emma Wardlaw allowed four runs in 2.2 innings, Sherwood entered in the third and settled things down. The sophomore tossed 3.1 scoreless innings, allowed just one hit, walked one and struck out a season-high five.
That outing gave the Rebels a real chance to climb back in late.
Wardlaw took the loss and fell to 2-4.
Late rally, short finish
UNLV nearly stole it in the seventh.
Sefe opened the inning with a single, and Turner followed with another hit to put two aboard with nobody out. Mantha Hatzenbeller then worked a walk to load the bases.
After a pitching change and a flyout, Gonzalez singled home Sefe to make it 4-2. Williams then reached on a San Jose State error, allowing Turner to score and cut the deficit to one.
Still, the Rebels could not find the tying run. Hatzenbeller was retired at third on the error sequence, and Calderon’s fly ball ended the game with the potential equalizer still 60 feet away.
UNLV finished the series with one-run, one-run and one-run margins across the three games.
Up next
UNLV returns home Tuesday, March 17, to host Utah Tech on St. Patrick’s Day at 4 p.m. PT at Eller Media Stadium. The Rebels then stay in Las Vegas to open a three-game Mountain West series against San Diego State beginning Friday, March 20.
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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.
