REBELS TAKE TWO FRIDAY AT FROST CLASSIC
Martinez blasts fifth homer of the year for late go-ahead score
UNLV softball went two-for-two on Friday at the Jim Frost Classic in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The Rebels (8-5) improved their winning streak to five games after defeating Western Michigan, 3-2, and Southeast Missouri State, 5-1.
Shortly after UNLV’s win, the day’s remaining games were called off due to rain. Saturday’s schedule is expected to continue as originally scheduled. UNLV will face host Chattanooga at 12 p.m. PT before playing Memphis at 2:30 p.m.
Game One: UNLV 3, Western Michigan 2
Sofia Morales hit an RBI single and scored on the next at-bat as UNLV took a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning and held off Western Michigan, 3-2, in the first game of the Frost Classic.
UNLV score the game’s first in the third when April Visser plated Lauryn Barker on a sacrifice fly.
In the next inning, back-to-back singles put pinch runner Alexys Herrera and Janyssa Martin on first and second, respectively. Morales’ strike sliced through the middle of the infield. Martin scored and Herrera was thrown out at home. Critically, Morales took second base on the play at the plate. On the next at-bat, Morales scored when WMU shortstop Alyssa Kramer overthrew first base on Barker’s infield hit.
Jasmin Martin (4-1) earned the victory after 5 ⅓ innings in the circle. Ellie Zellien stymied the Broncos, pitching a strikeout and three groundouts to earn the save.
Game Two: UNLV 5, SEMO 1
Ariana Martinez hit her fifth home run of the season, batting in the go-ahead score in UNLV’s 5-1 win over Southeast Missouri State.
Martinez’ blast rocketed over deep center and scored Denise Armendariz to break up a 1-1 draw in the top of the sixth.
In the seventh, April Visser hit her second sacrifice fly of the day, plating Morales for a 4-1 lead. Barker then scored on a throwing error three batters later for an extra insurance run.
Mountain West Pitcher of the Week Jessie Fontes (3-1) struck out five in her complete-game victory.