Softball Drops 8-4 Decision at UNLV

(boxscore)

3/16/05 -- Long Island University dropped an 8-4 decision to host UNLV in the last game of the UNLV Rebel Tournament in college softball action at Las Vegas, Nev.

The Blackbirds manufactured two runs in the sixth to cut the Rebels lead to 6-4. Junior Alissa Villanueva (Pacoima, Calif.) bunted to bring home senior Brian Mathiesen (Sylmar, Calif.). Freshman Vanessa Mejia walked to bring in sophomore Randi Gillespie (Saratoga, Calif.).

With one out and the bases loaded, LIU failed to capitalize on the opportunity to tie or take the lead when Krystal Mejia (Sylmar, Calif.) popped up and Brittany Murphy grounded out to end the inning.

UNLV got on the board in the first, on a triple from Brittany Frieght. The Blackbirds answered in the third as junior Leah Glenn (Huntington Beach, Calif.) scored on a passed ball to even the game, 1-1. The Rebels responded in the bottom of the inning with two runs to take a 3-1 advantage.

In the fifth, UNLV pushed the margin to 6-1. The Blackbirds made things interesting in the sixth, but allowed two more in the bottom of the inning. Senior Jackie Brown (Westminster, Calif.) went the distance for LIU, surrendering eight runs and 16 hits with two walks and one strikeout.

Shannon Crisp got the win, tossing seven innings and allowing four runs on three hits with three strikeouts.

Gillespie paced the Blackbirds with two RBI going 1-for-4.

LIU travels to Sacramento, Calif. next to play games against Oregon State, Iowa, Portland State, Illinois and Utah Valley in the 2005 Capital Classic.