University of Nevada Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV softball team earned a 12-8 victory over Utah State in the two-game Mountain West series finale on Sunday afternoon at Eller Media Stadium. The Rebels (24-18, 11-5) won both games against the Aggies (16-25, 5-11) for their second series sweep of the week.
 
Presley Barnes, Keyannah Chavez, Rachel Cook, Diamond Sefe and Bri Williams all had a solid day at the plate for UNLV. Barnes went 2-for-3 including a home run and two RBI. Chavez was 2-for-4 on the day and had a team-high three RBI. Cook was 2-for-3 at the plate against the Aggies which included an RBI, double and a walk. Sefe was 2-for-4 with two RBI, a walk and scored two runs for the Rebels. Williams was 1-for-1 on the day and had three walks. Williams additionally crossed the plate twice for UNLV. Yanina Sherwood collected the win, in relief, for her 10th win of the season. Lauren Fettic earned her second career save.
 
HOW IT WENT DOWN: The Aggies jumped out front in the top of the first inning scoring two runs on three hits and a Rebels' error, 2-0. However, the Rebels countered in the bottom of the first inning scoring three runs on four hits and two Aggies' errors to take a 3-2 lead. In the top of the second inning, Utah State took the lead back on a three-run homer, 5-3. In the bottom half of the second, the Rebels cut the deficit to one after a sacrifice fly to left by Keyannah Chavez, 5-4. Diamond Sefe then singled down the right field line with two outs. On a full count, Charelle Aki then smacked a homer over the center field wall to give UNLV a 6-5 lead. In the top of the third inning, the Aggies tied the game 6-all on an RBI single to center.  UNLV went back ahead in the bottom of the third on an infield single 7-6. The Rebels scored two more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning thanks to a two-run blast over the left field wall and made it 9-6. The fifth inning was scoreless by both sides. In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Scarlet & Gray tallied three on one hit to double the lead, 12-6. In the top of the seventh inning, Utah State scored two runs on two hits to make it 12-8, but UNLV was able to shut down the rally with a line out and a huge play in right field on a diving catch by Bri Williams to collect the win.
 
OTHER NOTES:

• Aki had a two-run homer and two walks against the Aggies.
• For the two-game series, Cook batted a combined .667 (4-for-6), which included a double, two walks, an RBI and scored two runs.
• Aki and Sefe each hit a combined .429 (3-for-7) for the series. Aki had a home run, two walks, two RBI and crossed the plate once. Sefe had two RBI, a walk, crossed the plate three times and was hit by a pitch.
• For the two-game series, Fettic made two appearances in the circle, pitching a combined 6.0 innings. She earned the win on Saturday and collected a save on Sunday. Fettic had an ERA of 1.17 and held her the Aggies to only bat .240. She only allowed one earned run in her combined six innings.
• Cook is now on a seven-game hitting streak.
• Turner is also on a seven-game hitting streak and has reached base in 17 straight games.
• Chavez has now reached base in 13 consecutive games.
• Williams has extended her reached base streak to 30 games. 

UP NEXT:  The Scarlet & Gray will be back on the road for the next three-game Mountain West series visiting Boise State on Friday, April 17 - Sunday, April 19. The Rebels and Broncos will open the weekend on Friday, April 17 at 6 p.m.