LAS VEGAS – The San Diego State softball team (17-12, 2-2 Mountain West) led 3-1 in the sixth inning, but UNLV (15-15, 2-2 MW) rallied for three runs in the bottom of the inning to win 4-3.

Quinn Waiki was the first base runner for the Aztecs with a single in the first inning. In the bottom half, UNLV’s leadoff hitter was hit by a pitch, but Faith Jordan still struck out two in a scoreless inning.

Jordan added another strikeout in the second inning. Following a two-out double by Mantha Hatzenbeller, Rachel Cook walked. On the fourth ball, Hatzenbeller attempted to swipe third base but was caught by Jade Ignacio.

The Aztecs scored first in the third inning. Jayleen Hernandez led off with a walk before Ally Dueker took first base on a fielder’s choice. Dueker stole her way into scoring position. With two outs in the inning, Ignacio legged out an infield single and a wild throw to first base allowed Dueker to score on the play. Jordan pitched another shutout inning in the latter half.

UNLV tied up the game in the fourth inning when Charelle Aki led off with a home run to left. Jordan responded with a strikeout of Diamond Sefe and retired the next two hitters.

In the fifth inning, Jordan followed a leadoff double with a strikeout. She exited the circle on a high note and Key-annah Pu’a entered to pitch, keeping the runner from scoring and the game remained tied at one through five.

Both offenses were productive in the sixth inning. Ignacio hit a leadoff single for the Aztecs. Quinn Waiki bunted pinch runner Andrea Tall into scoring position. Angie Yellen lined a single back up the middle to score Tall. Yellen moved up to third base on an Olivia Gigante single and Kaila Pollard knocked her in with a base hit to left field. The Aztecs took a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the inning. For the Rebels, Keyannah Chavez led off with a single. Following a popup, Diamond Sefe walked to bring the go-ahead run to the plate. Then, Pu’a struck out Taryn Calderon for the second out of the inning. Hatzenbeller walked to load the bases and Cook cleared them with a three-run go-ahead triple to right field. A pitch later, Pu’a induced an inning-ending lineout.

Pinch hitter Emma French gave the Aztecs life in the top of the seventh with a leadoff single. Lala Macario bunted her into scoring position with one out, but the next two hitters were retired to end the ballgame.

THE NOTE
Jade Ignacio logged her team-leading 14th game of the season with multiple hits.

UP NEXT
San Diego State and UNLV will continue the series at 3 p.m. on Saturday and noon on Sunday. Both games will be streamed on Mountain West Network.

UNLV 4, San Diego State 3
San Diego State (17-12, 2-2) 001 002 0 – 3 7 0
UNLV (15-15, 2-2)               000 103 X – 4 6 1
W – Fettic, 7-6; L – Pu’a, 4-4
HR: Aki, UNLV (8)