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LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV Softball team collected a 7-6 walk-off win in the bottom of the ninth inning against Southern Utah on Sunday afternoon in the Desert Classic finale.
The Rebels (3-2) scored at least one run in six of the nine innings played against the Thunderbirds (1-4). The Scarlet & Gray tallied 12 hits compared to Southern Utah’s nine hits to collect the victory. Amelia Weber took over in the circle in the top of the eighth inning and collected a strikeout to end the top of the eighth and the ninth inning.
HOW IT WENT DOWN: The Rebels jumped out front early in the bottom of the first inning scoring two runs on a Karmyna Becerra single to right center. In the bottom of the second inning, Ariana Martinez smacked an RBI single to right field scoring another run to make it 3-0. The third was scoreless on both sides until Martinez roped her second single of the game right back up the middle to make it 4-0. UNLV held Southern Utah off the board in the top of the fifth inning and in the bottom half, Bri Williams sent her first career home run over the left field wall to give UNLV a 5-0 lead. The Rebels found themselves in a little jam as the Thunderbirds scored four in the sixth and tied the game in the top of the seventh 7-all. UNLV had a lead off single in the bottom of the seventh, but were then retired with a double play and fly out. In the first extra inning, Southern Utah took a lead 6-5 on a wild pitch, but the Rebels didn’t back down and tied the game 6-all in the bottom half. In the top of the ninth, UNLV retired Southern Utah in order including Weber sitting down the last batter. With the international tiebreaker rule in effect for extra innings, Samantha Hatzenbeller was able to start the inning on second. Weber was then put in to pinch hit. With a 2-1 count, Weber popped a single up the middle on the left side of the bag bringing Hatzenbeller home to give UNLV a 7-6 victory.
OTHER NOTES:
- Martinez had herself a day at the plate going 3-for-3 including two RBI and a walk. She also crossed the plate once.
- Becerra was 3-for-4 on the day with three RBI.
- Williams was 2-for-4 against the Thunderbirds including her first career home run.
UP NEXT: The Rebels will continue play at home hosting the UNLV Rebel Classic at Eller Media Stadium beginning on Friday, Feb. 14 and concluding on Sunday, Feb. 16. The Scarlet & Gray will face Monmouth, Idaho State and Kansas City. UNLV opens the home tournament against Monmouth on Feb. 14 at 3PM.
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