LAS VEGAS — BYU softball fell to UNLV 5-3 at the Rebel Classic on Thursday evening at Eller Media Stadium in its season opener.

"We were unable to capitalize in the first couple innings, while UNLV was able to do so on the few opportunities they had," said BYU associate head coach Pete Meredith. "The game came down to that fourth inning. Tomorrow, we have to come out and play harder and clean some things up."

In the top of the first inning, the reigning WCC Freshman and Player of the Year Violet Zavodnik scored the first run of the game for the Cougars off of a sacrifice fly from junior transfer Macy Simmons. Zavodnik also had a diving catch to end the second inning.

The Rebels did not get on base or have a single hit until the fourth inning, when they scored all five of their runs off of two home runs. Senior first baseman Mia Trejo hit the first home run, a three-run shot, also scoring Denise Armendariz and Maddie Schmidt. Then, Janyssa Martin homered to right field with Alexis Trejo on base to bring the score to 5-1.

BYU freshman Alexis Gilio hit a double in the top of the sixth, and shortly after, Zavodnik hit a home run to bring the score within two at 5-3. It was Zavodnik’s 15th career home run. 

Senior Marissa Chavez singled to right field in the top of the seventh for a chance to keep the Cougars alive, but BYU wasn’t able to get another player on base.

Tomorrow the Cougars will play back-to-back games, facing Cal State Bakersfield at 9 a.m. PST, then Hawai’i at 11:30 a.m. PST. The matches will be streaming live on YouTube, and the link to watch can be found on BYU softball’s schedule page.