A Weekend At The Louisville Slugger Desert Classic

UNLV Rebels hosted the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic this weekend at Eller Media Stadium and the Fields at Stephanie Lynn Craig Park.

College Teams from Cal State Fullerton, DePaul, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan, Nevada - Reno, Northwestern, Oregon, Oregon State, Portland State, Saint Louis, South Dakota State, Southern Miss, Southern Utah, UC Davis, UCLA, Virginia, Mountain West Conference rivals Utah, and BYU were all participants.

UNLV played 5 games over the three day tournament. They had a record of 2 -3 for the weekend, and a record of 5 wins and 4 losses over all.

My children and I attended the first game on Friday, before going to the Dollhouse Meetup. On Saturday, I attended the game alone, as the children were with their grandpa Johnson. My children and I watch both games, today.

On Sunday, I was able to buy a UNLV Softball Media Guide. After the games, I gave it to couch Bean, to get the team and staff to autograph it. You never know if it will be a collector item in the years to come. It's also fun to look back and have the memories of years and teams past.

UNLV's ace pitcher, Traci Odegard had 2 starts, and freshman, Jessica O'Connor (pictured above) had 3 starts, and it seems that are these women they look to started them off inside the circle. The rest of the staff seem to come in for relief. Pitcher Stephanie Bregante has had great control problems this year, and only comes into the game when the outcome of game is well known.

One area for concern is Jaci Hull. Last year, at her first at bat she hit a home run over both fences at Eller Media Stadium. But this year I don't think she gotten a hit yet, and only on base from a walk. It seems something is distracting Jaci off the field. Her defence is only 50-50 according to the other season ticket holders who sit around me. Coach Manarino will face a tough decision if Jaci continues not to deliver at the plate and in the field.

With a little tweaking here and there the Rebels will be ready for a championship run in the Mountain West Conference, and the College Softball World Series.

The Rebels are back in action next weekend, as they hit the road for the Cathedral City Classic in Cathedral City, Calif. UNLV will open up the Classic with a 3:30 pm, game vs. Nebraska on Feb. 26. The team will play a total of five games at Big League Dreams Complex.