UNLV Rebels
Overall Rank: #38
Conference Rank: #3 Mountain West
UNLV nearly reached the NCAA Tournament. According to the selection committee the 36-win Rebels were one of the first four teams out. That was certainly disappointing for the program to be so close, but Coach Kristie Fox is taking this program in the right direction and the Rebels will not have to wait long. Coach Fox won 33 games in her first season with the Rebels in 2018 and then 36 in 2019. With a strong, experienced team returning, that win total should continue to go up in 2021.
2019: 36-14, 14-9
2019 Postseason: None
Coach: Kristie Fox
Key Departed Players:
Myranda Bueno, OF, .328 BA, 3 HR, 20 RBI
Kiley Harrison, C/IF, .321 BA, 11 RBI
Reina Bondi, OF, .308 BA, 2 HR, 24 RBI
Breana Burke, P, 2.00 ERA, 7-6 W/L, 94.2 IP, 53 SO
Key Returning Players:
Lauren Tycksen, OF, .395 BA, 22 RBI, 23 SB
Justine Federe, IF, .387 BA, 6 HR, 38 RBI
Mia Trejo, 1B, .315 BA, 8 HR, 42 RBI
Denise Armendariz, IF, .312 BA, 5 HR, 20 RBI
Samantha Diaz, IF, .311 BA, 7 HR, 31 RBI
Jenny Bressler, P, 2.10 ERA, 23-5 W/L, 183.0 IP, 154 SO
Projection:
UNLV boasted the best ERA in the Mountain West last year and two key pitchers are back. Jenny Bressler had a superb freshman campaign, going 23-5 with a 2.10 ERA. Charlie Masterson is an experienced senior who is more than ready to step in when Bressler needs a break. And with a superb defense behind them, this is a Rebels team that will be very tough to score against. At the plate UNLV has plenty of weapons too. Lauren Tycksen returns to the outfield after hitting .395 with 23 stolen bases. Justine Federe, Mia Trejo, Denise Armendariz and Samantha Diaz are all consistent hitters who also have some power in their bat. Trejo belted a team high eight homeruns in 2019 and she should be in for a big senior campaign. As long as the hitters can generate a few runs, UNLV should get enough wins to reach the NCAA Tournament. The Mountain West will be tough again this year, but this is an experienced group that should be right in the mix for a conference title too.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Softball Tournament
