LAS VEGAS – After opening the UNLV Desert Classic with a one-run win over UC Santa Barbara, Iowa State (3-3) fell in the nightcap of the opening day to tournament-host UNLV (5-0) by a score of 1-7.

 

The Rebels scored an early five runs and were able to maintain a healthy lead throughout.

 

Freshman pitcher Lauren Schurman pitched four and a third innings, allowing just three hits and two runs and striking out four. Schurman made her longest appearance of the season and recorded her first career strikeout on the day.

 

At the plate, four different Cyclones recorded hits. Carli Spelhaug’s lone hit was a solo shot – Iowa State’s only run – which came in the top of the seventh inning. Angelina Allen, Ashley Minor and Camille Marin collected the other hits.

 

UNLV had three batters with multiple hits and used a pair of big flies to earn a six-run victory. The Rebels had pitcher Ellie Zellien go the distance, as she struck out seven in a full seven innings.

 

Iowa State has homered in five of the first six games of the season.

 

How it Happened

UNLV wasted little time, plating an early three runs in the bottom of the first inning. A leadoff double followed by a bunt single put runners on the corners with no out for the Rebels. After a groundout, UNLV drew a walk to load the bases. A single from Alyssa Trejo brought two in and then a Kelsie Kelso single brought in a third to make it 3-0.

 

After holding the Cyclones again scoreless in the top of the second, the Rebels tacked on a pair in the bottom of the frame. The second inning started like the first – a leadoff double from UNLV put a runner in scoring position with no outs. Ariana Martinez then came up to the plate with one out and belted a homer just over the right field wall. The homer made things 5-0 in advantage of UNLV.

 

Both teams would struggle to muster any momentum following the second, as the third, fourth and fifth inning all went scoreless. UNLV would snap the drought in the bottom of the sixth, courtesy of another long ball. Following a walk, Alyssa Trejo smoked her third homer of the game, a two-run shot, to give the Rebels a 7-0 lead.

 

 

Friday Notes

Home Runs

Iowa State: Carli Spelhaug (3)

UNLV: Ariana Martinez (1), Alyssa Trejo (3)

 

WP – Ellie Zellien (2-0): 7.0 IP, 4 hits, 1 run, 6 walks, 7 strikeouts

SV –  N/A

LP – Karlie Charles (0-1): 1.2 IP, 7 hits, 5 runs, 3 walks, 0 strikeouts

 

On Deck

The Cyclones will return to Eller Media Field tomorrow, Feb. 17, for another doubleheader. ISU will first match up with UCSB at noon CT and then follow it up with Bradley at 2:30 CT. Both games will be streamed on YouTube.