The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) softball team secured a 10-6 win against Boise State in game two of their three-game Mountain West series on April 18. The match took place at Huber Field at Dona Larsen Park, and the Rebels clinched the series with this victory.
This win is significant as it marks UNLV’s sixth consecutive series win over Mountain West opponents. The Rebels improved their record to 26-18 overall and 13-5 in conference play, while Boise State fell to 20-28 overall and 6-12 in conference.
Mantha Hatzenbeller led UNLV’s offense, going four-for-four at the plate with two two-run home runs. She tied her career-high with four runs batted in and set a new personal best by scoring three times. Presley Barnes, Diamond Sefe, and Bri Williams each contributed two hits for the Rebels. Sefe hit a solo home run, while Williams drove in three runs with a double. Sophie Stockam earned her first career pitching win in relief, and Lauren Fettic collected her third save of the season.
The Rebels started strong when Williams hit a bases-clearing double in the second inning for an early lead. In the third inning, Chavez scored on a wild pitch before Hatzenbeller hit her first home run of the day. Boise State responded with five runs to close the gap to one run after three innings. Sefe added another homer for UNLV in the fifth before Hatzenbeller homered again to extend their lead further. Charelle Aki contributed her tenth home run of the season late in the game.
Additional highlights included Stockam pitching a career-high 2.1 innings and tying her best mark for strikeouts at two. The team matched its season high by hitting four home runs during this game and out-hit Boise State by thirteen hits to seven.
The series will conclude on Sunday, April 19.
