CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. - The University of Nevada softball team (2-9) fell to the Northwestern Wildcats (5-3) 8-4 in its first game at the 2011 Cathedral City Classic.
The Wolf Pack got going early, scoring one run in the top half of the first. The catalyst for the inning was an Erin Jones single that came in an 11-pitch at bat. The pre-season transfer from Sacramento State fouled off six pitches before she pulled a ball into left field for her first hit as a member of the Pack.
Northwestern answered with one run in the bottom on a Michelle Batts double down the right field line.
Danielle Patrick led the top half of the third off with a walk, and was followed on base by Erin Jones, who drew a walk in another lengthy at bat. After a Britton Murdock strikeout, Lauren Lastrapes reached on a fielder's choice to second base, scoring Alex Arciniega, who pinch ran for Patrick after her single.
Mallary Darby came in to pitch for Bailey Brewer, who got the start for Nevada, after she allowed a solo homer to Adrianne Monka to lead off the bottom of the third. Darby surrendered one additional run while striking out the side, as Northwestern led 4-2 after three innings.
Nevada scored one run in the top half of the fourth and sixth innings, but a four run bottom of the fourth from Northwestern was too much for Nevada to overcome.
Lauren Lastrapes had a five-game hitting streak snapped in the loss, despite a bid for a single in the form of a line shot to the second basemen in her last at bat. The loss, which was credited to Brewer, dropped the freshman to 0-4 on the year.
Nevada will return to action on day two of the Classic with games against Nebraska at 1 p.m. and Fordham at 8 p.m. Saturday.
