LOS ANGELES The Nevada softball team opened the 2008 season with a split in two games at the Freeway Series at UCLA.
The Wolf Pack opened the day with a 10-1 loss to No. 10 UCLA before pulling out a 5-4 victory over UC Santa Barbara in the second game of the day.
“We just did not play real well against UCLA. We got out-played,” head coach Michelle Gardner said. “But we came back and stayed very composed and won that second game. Overall, it was a good day for us.”
Sophomore Katie Holverson tossed a complete game in the win over the Gauchos, giving up just one earned run and working out of a bases-loaded, two-out jam in the bottom of the seventh to get the win. She yielded seven hits and walked two while matching a career-high with nine strikeouts.
Sophomore Kelsey Starr provided the big blast offensively, coming off the bench in the sixth inning to hit a three-run home run to break a 2-2 tie.
“Katie did a great job today and I was really pleased with her effort,” Gardner said. “And that was a huge hit by Kelsey.”
Against the Bruins, Nevada struggled defensively, committing five errors in the game.
“We just could not make a play in that game,” Gardner said. “But like I said, the team stayed composed and went back out there to get the win in the second game.”
Nevada continues play in the Freeway Series on Saturday when it plays No. 5 Oklahoma (10 a.m.) and No. 21 Cal State Fullerton (12:30 p.m.) at Cal State Fullerton.
