UNLV softball looks for positive ending

UNLV softball coach Lonni Alameda isn’t a bit surprised that her team’s final weekend of play will help determine the Mountain West Conference championship.

She is surprised, however, that her squad isn’t in the running for the title.

Instead, UNLV (25-38-1, 5-13 Mountain West) will close out a disappointing year with a two-game home series this weekend and an opportunity to ruin the season for first-place San Diego State (41-15, 13-5).

“We’ll have a chance to be the spoilers in our conference,” said Alameda, whose team opened the season with hopes of competing for the championship. “We get to play San Diego State in our last weekend. It’s kind of exciting that our conference championship is coming down to the last weekend.”

Things were more exciting for Alameda when the Rebels were winning. Just two months ago, they were ranked 18th in the nation after jumping out to a 9-1-1 start against elite competition.

“When you start off like that, you’ve got to maintain it,” Alameda said. “You’d rather try to build up to that. You don’t want to peak too soon.”

That’s just what happened to the Rebels, who have lost six straight and 17 of their last 20 games.

“Obviously our record isn’t something that shows we’re a great ballclub,” said Alameda, whose team is last in the Mountain West. “We’ve lost so many games by one run, but we’re still competing and battling back. It’s really tough to play when the chips are down and you just keep losing close ballgames.”

But Alameda said her team will use this year’s tough breaks as motivation for next season.

“I think it’s going to create a lot of leaders,” said Alameda, who noted that four key players already were injured by the time the season started. “They’re wanting to turn this around and come back on a huge mission.”

There are plenty of reasons for the coach’s optimism.

Two of her freshmen — pitcher Traci Odegard and utility player Ashli Holland — have performed well under pressure.

“Traci was thrown in the fire early,” Alameda said of Odegard, who is 6-6 with a 3.50 ERA. “She’s really come around and she’s been more competitive in the circle.”

Holland is batting .272 with 26 RBIs.

“She’s also been stepping up her game,” Alameda said. “I expect her to be a leader next season.”

Several injured players also are expected to return next season, including catcher Bri Bernardi, infielder Kendall Fearn and 2005 All-America outfielder Marissa Nichols.

“To have them back out on the field is going to make a big impact for us,” Alameda said. “They’ll provide runs, versatility and depth.”

Several talented veterans also will return, led by current sophomores Jaci Hull (.346, 13 home runs, 42 RBIs) and Alyssia De La Torre (.315).

They’ll be joined by a class of 12 freshmen.

“The new players are going to be hungry,” Alameda said. “There’s going to be some opportunity. I think it’s going to be a big turning point for the program.”

Until then, the Rebels will focus on playing their final two games against a team that is trying to preserve its spot atop the conference standings.

“If you have pride, you go out and play competitively,” Alameda said. “We’re not rolling over for anyone.”

The first pitch of Friday’s series opener is scheduled for 6 p.m., with Saturday’s season finale scheduled for 2 p.m.