Van Acker homer keys UNLV softball win

The UNLV softball team notched its first win of the season, beating Minnesota 2-1 on Saturday in the Kick-Off Classic at Eller Media Stadium.

The Golden Gophers (1-1) took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a Sara Dupaul RBI single, and Minnesota pitcher Sara Moulton held the Rebels scoreless through five innings.

But UNLV (1-2) broke through in the sixth inning. Paige Emerson got a one-out single, and with two outs, Tayler Van Acker homered over the right-field fence to make the score 2-1.

Amanda Oliveto went the distance for the Rebels, allowing five hits and one walk, with six strikeouts. Oliveto retired the Gophers in order in the seventh to end the game.

Emerson finished 2-for-3 for UNLV, and Van Acker's homer was the Rebels' only other hit.

■ CSN BASEBALL -- The College of Southern Nevada scored four runs in the fourth inning and beat Bethesda (Calif.) University 5-1 at Morse Stadium.

With the scored tied at 1, the Coyotes (7-3) opened the fourth with an Andy Weissberg single, and a throwing error and a wild pitch brought Weissberg in with the go-ahead run. Sean McCracken then tripled and scored on a wild pitch, and one out later, Rodee Anderson followed with another triple.

Quinton Mack walked, and CSN then pulled off a successful double steal, with Anderson scoring and Mack reaching second. Mack then stole third and scored on Jack LaMarca's sacrifice fly to make the score 5-1.

■ CSN SOFTBALL -- At St. George, Utah, the Coyotes dropped a doubleheader to North Idaho, losing 7-6 and 6-3 in Scenic West Athletic Conference play.

Jasmine Fukuda went 3-for-3 with a run in the opener for the Coyotes (8-12, 3-5 SWAC), and Angela Mikalauski was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run. In the second game, CSN's Cheyenne Wells was 2-for-2 with a homer, a walk, two RBIs and a run scored.