LAS VEGAS - Briana Williams stole three bases and scored three runs to help Western Illinois run past UNLV, 9-6, on Wednesday, March 16 at Jim Rogers Field.
The Fighting Leathernecks (6-10) jumped out to an early lead and were able to overcome several rallies by the Rebels (14-10) to hang on for their fourth win in their last six contests.
Western scored in the top of the first inning when Williams was hit by a pitch to lead off the game and stole second. She would score on Nikki Marinec's sacrifice fly to right two batters later.
The Leathernecks would strike for three runs in the top of the second. Kelsey Michelini brought home a run with an RBI double before Biebel picked up a two-run single to give Western Illinois a 4-0 lead.
UNLV would answer back three runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning thanks to a three-run homer. The Rebels tied the game in the fourth on an RBI single before Western regained the lead in the top of the fifth.
Beth Golitko and Jamie Goss each hit an RBI double to left field to put the Leathernecks up 6-4 but UNLV would tie the game again in the bottom of the inning on two, one-run singles.
After a scoreless sixth inning, Western Illinois jumped back on top with three runs in the top of the seventh. Williams scored on a wild pitch in the inning and Marinec recorded an RBI groundout to make it 8-6. Erin Schlotfeldt's RBI single would cap off the scoring and make the final 9-6.
UNLV would get a runner on in the bottom half of the inning, but Ashley Campbell closed things out to pick up the win in relief.
Campbell (4-3) did not allow a run on four hits in 3.0 innings of work. She struck out two and did not issue a walk. Michelini tossed 4.0 innings as the starter and allowed six runs (five earned) on nine hits with two walks and two strikeouts.
The Leathernecks were outhit 13-11 but were able to pick up their first win when being outhit this season. Biebel, Golitko and Schlotfeldt each had two hits and Golitko scored twice.
The three steals by Williams were the most in a single game for a Leatherneck since Colleen Biebel stole five against Augustana College in 2008.
Western Illinois resumes Summit league action on Friday with a doubleheader at Southern Utah beginning at 2 p.m. before a single game on Saturday.
