Softball: UNLV goes 2-2 in softball twin bills

Monday, April 7, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Bonanza High graduate Alyson Carter sparked 16th-ranked Colorado State to a win in the opener, but UNLV pitcher Brandi Isgar stifled the Rams in the second game as the Runnin' Rebels split a Western Athletic Conference doubleheader Sunday afternoon at Rebel Diamond.

Carter, a freshman for CSU, was 3-for-4 in the first game as the Rams beat UNLV 3-1. She drove in a run with a bloop single and also doubled during the game.

But Isgar headed off any momentum the Rams were gathering with a terrific effort in the nightcap.

Isgar scattered three hits, striking out five and walking no one as UNLV improved to 11-5 in the conference, 20-16 overall. CSU is 34-9, and the Rams entertain UNLV for another weekend series starting Friday in Fort Collins.

The Rebels gave Isgar the only run she would need in their first at-bat.

With two outs, Julie Crandall homered to left-center field, her sixth of the season. The Rebels stranded seven baserunners, but because of Isgar -- who also had three of UNLV's seven hits -- the doubleheader was halved.

Carter, meanwhile, has been a real find for Colorado State.

She has hit safely in all but eight of CSU's 43 games, and during the past dozen games she has been especially tough, batting over .400 with 10 RBI.

Carter helped the Rams win the Texas A&M Invitational Feb. 20-23, batting .667 (14-for-21). She also has three home runs this season as she has divided her time between first base, catcher and designated player.

Saturday's DH

UNLV also split a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon, winning one game against Utah.

The Rebels won the opener 1-0 -- again getting a great performance by Isgar, who tossed a three-hitter. She struck out eight and walked nobody. UNLV scored the only run with two out in the seventh Audrey Munoz singled home Kim Rondina.

The Lady Utes salvaged a split, taking the second game 2-0. Both Utah runs were unearned.