UNLV got back in the win column Saturday afternoon, and it did almost all of its damage in the opening frame.
The Scarlet and Gray scored all five of their runs in the first inning, then rode a gritty complete-game effort from Lauren Fettic to a 5-4 win over Fresno State at Margie Wright Diamond. The victory snapped a two-game skid and moved UNLV to 17-17 overall and 4-4 in Mountain West play.
Five-run punch
UNLV wasted no time jumping on the Bulldogs.
Bri Williams opened the game by getting hit by a pitch, and Natalie Turner followed with a bunt single. Keyannah Chavez then lined an RBI single to left center to bring home the first run. After Charelle Aki was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Diamond Sefe drew a walk to force in another run.
The Rebels kept coming.
Mantha Hatzenbeller grounded out to bring home Chavez, and Rachel Cook ripped a two-run double to left center to score Brooklyn Heil and Sefe for a 5-0 lead before Fresno State could settle in.
That was all UNLV would score, but it proved to be enough.
Fettic bends, holds
Fresno State piled up 13 hits, yet Fettic never gave the game away.
The Bulldogs broke through in the fourth when Makenna Pettey singled to center to score two and cut the lead to 5-2. Fresno State threatened again in the sixth with four straight singles, trimming the margin to one on Alyssa Rebolledo’s two-run single to center.
Even so, Fettic finished the job.
The freshman right-hander went all seven innings, allowed four runs, and improved to 8-6. More importantly, she stranded traffic all afternoon and closed the door in the seventh after Fresno State put a runner aboard with two outs.
Just enough offense
UNLV managed only five hits, but the Rebels made the first inning count.
Cook went 1-for-3 with the two-run double that turned a quick strike into real separation. Chavez finished 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Turner added a hit and scored once, while Sefe drove in a run and drew two walks. Aki also reached and scored in the decisive first inning.
Williams did not record an official hit, but she reached base three times with a walk and two hit-by-pitches.
The Rebels had chances later, too, drawing six walks overall, but did not add on after the first. Still, the early burst gave them just enough cushion to survive Fresno State’s push.
Up next
UNLV and Fresno State meet again Sunday at noon PT in the rubber match of the three-game series.
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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.
