March 31, 2018
San Jose, Calif. - The San José State softball team spotted the UNLV Rebels a 2-0 lead after half an inning, then ripped off eight straight runs on its way to an 8-2 victory on Saturday morning. With the win, SJSU improves to 24-10, 8-1 in the Mountain West and completes a three-game sweep of the Rebels who are now 20-13, 3-6 in conference play.
It's the second time in three conference series this year that SJSU has swept its opponent.
For the first time in three games against UNLV, the Spartans banged out double digits in hits, recording 12 base knocks. The most impressive was a solo home run from senior Brittany Abacherli (3-for-3, 2R, 2RBI, HR) to lead off the bottom of the second.
In the spacious Mission College field, where homer go to die, Abacherli crushed an 0-1 offering from UNLV starter Janine Petmecky. When it came down, over the fence in straightaway centerfield, SJSU had cut the 2-0 UNLV lead in half and was on its way to putting up a five spot in the frame.
Including Abacherli, the first six Spartans reached base safely in the second. Madison Aurin doubled followed by a Jayce Phipps (1-for-3, R) single to put runners on the corners. Rayohna Sagapolu (1-for-3, 2RBI, 2B) then doubled in both to put the Spartans in front 3-2. After a Grace Garvey (0-for-2, R) walk and a fielder's choice, Kaelin Amrein (2-for-4, R, 2RBI, 2B) doubled to left center to scoring two more and making it 5-2 Spartans.
In the fourth, SJSU tacked on three more runs on four hits. With one out San José State got back-to-back singles from Amrein and Cassidy Clark (1-for-4, R). Two batters later, Abacherli was at it again. She laced a single to center, which scored Amrein and both she and Clark advanced to second and third on UNLV's throw at the plate. Aurin (2-for-4, R, 2RBI, 2B) then stepped up to the plate and roped a double over the left fielder's head to score two more runs and push the Spartans advantage to 8-2.
In the circle, Aurin scattered four hits, walked two and struck out a pair in improving her record to 10-7 on the year. Since the start of Mountain West action, Aurin is 5-0 with a 1.75 ERA. She has tossed with five complete games and opponents are hitting just .187 off her.
UNLV used three pitchers with Petmecky (12-5), the starter, going 1.0 inning. She surrendered five runs on four hits, walked two, struck out one and took her second loss of the series.
The San José State returns to action next weekend at Nevada. The Spartans and Wolf Pack are scheduled to play Friday through Sunday in Reno.
San Jose State 8, UNLV 2 (Mar 31, 2018 at Santa Clara, Calif.)
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UNLV................ 200 000 0 - 2 4 0 (20-13, 3-6 MW)
San Jose State...... 050 300 X - 8 12 1 (24-10, 8-1 MW)
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Pitchers: UNLV - PETMECKY,J.; BURKE,B.(2); MASTERSON,C.(4) and STOVER,B.. San Jose State -
Aurin, Madison and Garvey, Grace.
Win-AURIN, Madison(10-7) Loss-PETMECKY,J.(12-5) T-1:50 A-103
HR SJ - Abacherli, Brittany (5).
Weather: Sunny
PETMECKY,J. faced 5 batters in the 2nd.
Game: UNLV-SJ3