UNLV softball loss: CSU seven-run fourth flips 10-5 finale

The UNLV softball team could not finish off the sweep Saturday, as Colorado State used one decisive inning to pull away for a 10-5 win in the series finale at Eller Media Stadium.

The Rams scored once in the first, then broke the game open with seven runs in the fourth to hand UNLV its first loss of the weekend. Colorado State managed only five hits, but the Rams took advantage of seven walks, four hit batters and a Rebel error. Of their 10 runs, only four were earned.

That stretch changed the game after a steady opening from Lauren Fettic. The freshman kept Colorado State mostly in check through the first three innings, but the fourth turned quickly after Autumn Rutherford drew a leadoff walk and Clarissa Castillo followed with another free pass. Abby Edwards was then hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Allyson Moody reached on an error at third that brought home the inning’s first run.

After Raegen Everett entered in relief, Colorado State kept pressing. Jac Smith drew a bases-loaded walk, Lauren Stucky lined a two-run single to right and Jailey Wilson delivered the biggest swing of the day, a three-run homer to deep left that stretched the Rams’ lead to 8-0.

Rebels answer, but not enough

UNLV did not go quietly. The Rebels broke through with a three-run fifth and made Colorado State work after being held scoreless through four innings.

Taryn Calderon opened the rally with a single, and Mantha Hatzenbeller followed with a hit of her own. Rachel Cook then singled to left to score Calderon. Natalie Turner added an RBI single, and Keyannah Chavez drew a bases-loaded walk to trim the deficit to 8-3.

Colorado State answered again in the sixth, using a single, a hit batter and two walks to score twice more. Wilson drew an RBI walk, and Rutherford added a sacrifice fly to make it 10-3.

UNLV found one last push in the seventh. Turner and Chavez opened the inning with back-to-back singles, and Charelle Aki worked a walk to load the bases. Diamond Sefe then drilled a two-run double to deep left, bringing home Turner and Chavez to cut the margin to five. That was as close as the Rebels got.