BYU Falls to UNLV; Ousted From MWC Tournament

SALT LAKE CITY -- In the closest game to date of the 2000 Mountain West Conference Softball Championship tournament, the BYU softball team narrowly missed advancing to the next round, falling to UNLV, 1-0, Friday in Salt Lake City.

Just three hits were allowed in the game, with UNLV's Geney Orris (11-17) throwing a one-hitter and BYU's Maryon Dewitt (9-10) hurling a two-hitter. The teams battled through four scoreless, no-hit innings. In the top of the fifth inning, UNLV finally managed to squeeze a run across on a Courtney McCandless sacrifice fly which scored the Rebels' Linda Garza. Garza got on board with a single to center, and advanced when Celeste Alvarado was hit by a pitch. Garza then reached third on a sacrifice bunt by Charelle Ainslie beforing scoring on the McCandless sac fly.

BYU second baseman Jackie Ellis recorded the team's lone hit in the fifth inning. The Cougars threatened in the top of the seventh when Lindsey Hodgen walked, but a sharp line drive by Brooke Cadiente to UNLV shortstop Racheal Goodpaster turned into a double play. Mindy Hanson then lined out to end the game.

"(Maryon) definitely threw well enough to win," said BYU head coach Mary Kay Amicone. "I just don't have the answers. I am very proud of how our team did this year. They had a lot of adversity coming in and handled it well."

UNLV, seeded last headed into the tournament, continues itsCinderella bid as it faces host Utah Friday at 4:30 p.m. The Cougars end their season at 16-27.