Thursday, April 11, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.
It was a day of disappointment and opportunity lost for the UNLV softball team.
Long Beach State rallied for two runs in the seventh inning, then got the game-winner in the 11th to take a 5-4 decision over UNLV in the second game of a doubleheader Wednesday at Rebel Diamond. The 49ers also captured the opener, by a 5-2 count.
UNLV entered the day just a half-game back of Long Beach in the Big West race, but stranded 21 runners over the two games in falling to 27-15-1, 10-7-1 in league play.
The Rebels, ranked ninth nationally, have won just once in their past eight games, including a yet-to-be-resolved tie. Long Beach State stands 25-16 and 13-5.
"There's disappointment, but at the same time if you're going to lose at least you can play hard, and I thought our kids did that," UNLV coach Shan McDonald said. "We've been struggling a little bit the last week or so, but I thought the effort today was a big step forward."
Either game could have gone the Rebels' way.
In the opener, UNLV scored two runs in the first inning, but was unable to generate more and left the bases loaded in two of the last three innings.
Long Beach broke through for a single tally in the second, before Tiffany Blood -- who drove in four runs on the day -- delivered a two-run double to stake the 49ers to a lead they would not relinquish.
Long Beach starter Tammy Dietrich (9-9) posted the victory, while Marie O'Beck notched her first save. Teresa Branch (16-8) was the starter and loser for UNLV.
The Rebels looked as if they would salvage a split in the second game. Powered in part by Heather Markowitz' third home run of the season, UNLV led 2-0 with one out to go in the seventh. However, LBSU's Christy Tucker spoiled the party with a two-run double.
After the teams matched each other with two runs in the ninth, Blood walked with the bases loaded in the 11th to force home the winning run. O'Beck (5-3) earned the victory in relief, while UNLV's Tanya Edwards (11-7) suffered the loss.
"In the first game we got ahead and were feeling OK, and then all of a sudden the ballgame changed," McDonald said. "Sometimes there's not a whole lot you can do about it if the other team outplays you, and that's what happened.
"In the second game, you just can't ask for a better effort. We were ahead -- one out from the win -- and they (Long Beach) battled back. Then we battled back as well. It was a good game."
The Rebels return to action Saturday, when they host San Jose State in a doubleheader-plus at 11 a.m. The teams first will conclude a 5-5 game which was suspended in the top of the 10th at San Jose a week ago, then play the scheduled twinbill.
"There are still a lot of things that can happen," said McDonald. "Right now Long Beach is on top but that will be challenged. I think the conference is very competitive, and we are by no means out of the race for the championship.
"We still have 14 conference games left, and that will make our season right there."
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