LAS VEGAS, Nev.— The Highlanders were crowned NISC Regional Champs Friday night as the UC Riverside Softball Team (36-22) defeated host UNLV 7-1 for the second time in two days. UCR improved to 3-0 in the team's first postseason appearance and had a nearly perfect outing allowing just one run in those three games. Senior pitcher Tayler Misfeldt was named tournament MVP and junior Brittney Garcia, sophomore Emma Ramelot, and senior Jenae Lockwood were all named to the All-Tournament team.

The Highlanders kept their hot bats going out-hitting the Rebels 13-4 and putting in a team effort as nine players collected hits and four of those hitters drove in runs.

After blanking UNLV the day before, pitcher Misfeldt (19-11) would take the circle again tossing a complete game and allowing just one run on four hits, while striking out six. Over the tournament, the senior made three strong appearances as she gave up just one run and struck out 15 in 15 IP.

UCR got on the board early as senior Chelsey Holley smacked a two-run homer over the left-center wall in the 2nd inning, and an RBI single from Lockwood in the 3rd gave the Highlanders a 3-0 lead.

UNLV answered with of a run of its own in the 4th, which was the only run allowed by UCR in the tournament.

Up 3-1, the Highlanders broke the game wide open in the 6th grabbing four insurance runs to claim a 7-1 victory.

Senior Jenna Curtan, Ramelot, and Lockwood all collected RBI singles in the 6th and Ramelot added the final run scoring on a wild pitch.

The Highlanders will now compete in the NISC Championship, which begins this Wednesday and features LMU, UT Arlington, and the winner of tomrrow's matchup between Eastern Kentucky and Towson. The host site has yet to be determined.