The UNLV softball team shook off an early deficit in style Tuesday afternoon, rolling past Utah Tech 11-3 in five innings at Eller Media Stadium while wearing its St. Patrick’s Day jerseys.
After Utah Tech grabbed a 2-0 lead in the top of the first, the Rebels answered immediately and never gave the game back. UNLV improved to 14-15 behind a huge afternoon from Diamond Sefe, who turned in a perfect 3-for-3 line with a double, two home runs, three RBI and three runs scored. Yanina Sherwood also evened her season record at 5-5, picking up the win with two innings of relief.
The victory also carried added significance for the program. UNLV later highlighted on social media that head coach Kristie Fox recorded her 250th win at the helm of the Rebels, becoming just the second head coach in program history to reach that mark.
First-inning punchback
Utah Tech wasted little time, scoring twice in the top of the first on an RBI double from Kinley Pappas and a sacrifice fly by Gabi Giroux.
UNLV answered with four runs in the bottom half.
Natalie Turner walked and Bri Williams singled to set the table. Charelle Aki tied the game with a two-run single to center, then Sefe doubled down the left field line before Taryn Calderon lined a two-run single into right-center to make it 4-2.
That quick counter set the tone for the rest of the afternoon.
Diamond deals in threes
Sefe’s day kept getting louder.
She launched a solo homer to deep left in the third to stretch the lead to 5-2. Then came the decisive fourth inning, when the Scarlet and Gray poured on five more runs.
Lyla Gonzalez was hit by a pitch to start the rally, and after Utah Tech miscues helped extend the inning, Aki reached on an error that brought home two runs. A passed ball scored another, pushing the lead to 8-2. Moments later, Sefe struck again, blasting a two-run homer to short left that capped the inning and made it 10-2.
Everything about the senior’s line landed in threes. Three hits, three RBI, three runs.
Williams added another spark, going 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored. Aki and Calderon each drove in two. Turner scored three times as the middle of the order kept the pressure on all game.
Circle settles in
Lauren Fettic started and worked the first three innings, allowing two runs on five hits. Sherwood took over in the fourth and steadied the game, limiting Utah Tech to one run over the final two innings while striking out one and walking one.
The Trailblazers got one back in the fifth on Pappas’ RBI triple, but UNLV finished the game in the bottom half. With two outs, Turner was hit by a pitch, and Williams ripped a double to right-center to bring her home for the run-rule winner.
Up next
UNLV stays home to open Mountain West play against San Diego State on Friday at 6 p.m. PT at Eller Media Stadium.
Related stories
UNLV falls 4-3 to San Jose State as late rally comes up short
Welcome to Dice City Sports — where we provide premium, exclusive, up-to-date news and analysis surrounding the Las Vegas sports scene. Follow along on social media, and check back for new articles daily!
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.
