PROVO -- After failing to post a victory in each of its first four home games, the BYU softball team made it over the hump Saturday, sweeping both games of a doubleheader against conference rival UNLV, winning the first, 7-6, and the second, 4-3, in Provo.

In the first game, the Cougars rode a six-run explosion in the third inning capped by second baseman Jackie Ellis's grand slam, her second home run of the season. Maryon Dewitt went the distance for BYU, striking out five and walking none, while freshman DH Jamie Kreipl turned out a 3-for-4 performance, including a triple. The Rebels scored two in the final inning off Racheal Goodpaster's second home run of the day, but came up short in the 7-6 loss.

The second game was close as well, and both teams struggled defensively as a combined eight errors were committed. The teams entered the fifth inning tied at two, and though the Rebels scored once in the top of the fifth, the Cougars answered back with two thanks to a couple crucial UNLV errors. Mindy Hanson had two hits for BYU, while Kreipl racked up a base hit and another triple to finish 5-for-8 in both games.

BYU won its first ever season series as well against UNLV, 3-1. The Cougars will host nonconference rival Southern Utah Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Harmon Field (900 E 250 S) before taking on conference opponents Colorado State and New Mexico Friday and Saturday.