The UNLV softball team kept its surge going Saturday afternoon, using a big game from Mantha Hatzenbeller to beat Boise State 10-6 at Dona Larsen.
Hatzenbeller went 4-for-4 with two home runs, four RBI and three runs scored. As a result, the Rebels won their sixth straight game. UNLV improved to 26-18 overall and 13-5 in Mountain West play, while also winning 10 of its last 11.
Meanwhile, the middle of the order delivered. Bri Williams drove in three runs with a second-inning double. Diamond Sefe went 2-for-4 with a double and a home run. In addition, Charelle Aki added a solo homer in the seventh.
Six runs early, then a swing back
UNLV took control early, starting in the second inning.
First, Presley Barnes singled to open the frame. Brooklyn Heil entered as a pinch runner, and Hatzenbeller followed with a base hit. After that, Rachel Cook moved both runners up, and Lyla Gonzalez walked. Williams then doubled to right-center, driving in all three runs for a 3-0 lead.
The Rebels kept going in the third. Chavez walked, and Sefe doubled to put two in scoring position. Chavez later scored on a wild pitch. Then, Hatzenbeller launched a two-run homer to left, pushing the lead to 6-0.
However, Boise State answered immediately.
The Broncos scored five runs in the bottom of the third. Kate Penberthy hit a three-run homer, and Sophia Romero followed with an inside-the-park two-run shot. Suddenly, the lead was cut to 6-5.
Relief duo locks it down
Even so, UNLV responded again in the fifth and regained control.
Sefe led off with a solo homer to center. Barnes followed with a single. Then, Hatzenbeller struck again with a two-run homer to left-center, stretching the lead to 9-5.
Boise State added one run in the bottom of the fifth on a solo homer from Mya Flindt. However, that was the final push.
In the circle, Sophie Stockam delivered a key performance. She entered with two outs in the third and limited the damage. Stockam allowed one run on two hits over 2.1 innings, earning the win.
Finally, Lauren Fettic closed it out. She worked the last two innings, allowing one hit while striking out two to secure her third save.
Numbers that mattered
Sherwood allowed five runs in 2.2 innings to start. However, Stockam and Fettic combined to allow just one run over the final 4.1 innings.
Offensively, UNLV finished with 13 hits and four home runs.
Barnes went 2-for-4 and scored once. Chavez scored and reached base twice. Overall, the Rebels used timely power to hold off Boise State’s rally.
Up next
UNLV goes for the series sweep against Boise State on Sunday at 11 a.m. PT in Boise.
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UNLV softball wins 6-5 at Boise State as Fettic goes the distance
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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.
