WHEN/WHERE: The UNLV baseball team, 23-13 and 6-6 in the WAC South Division, will host New Mexico this weekend in a WAC three-game series at Earl E. Wilson Stadium at Roger Barnson Field (3,000).

THIS WEEK:
Friday, April 3 - *New Mexico at UNLV, 7:05 p.m., Earl E. Wilson Stadium+
Saturday, April 4 - *New Mexico at UNLV, 1:05 p.m., Earl E. Wilson Stadium+
Sunday, April 5 - New Mexico at UNLV, 1:05 p.m., Earl E. Wilson Stadium+

NEXT WEEK:
Friday, April 10 - *Air Force at UNLV, 7:05 p.m., Earl E. Wilson Stadium+
Saturday, April 11 - *Air Force at UNLV, 1:05 p.m., Earl E. Wilson Stadium+
Easter Sunday, April 12 - Air Force at UNLV, 1:05 p.m., Earl E. Wilson Stadium+
*KLAV AM-1230 Radio +WAC game

RADIO: UNLV baseball will broadcast 25 games during the 1998 season on KLAV AM-1230. Scott Robbs will call the action all season long. The following is the broadcast schedule: Feb. 10 vs. Pepperdine; Feb. 13-14 vs. UNR and Southern Illinois; Feb. 20-21 at Cal State Fullerton; Feb. 27-28 vs. Fresno State; March 13-14 at Grand Canyon; March 17 vs. Arizona; March 20-21 vs. Rice; March 25 vs. Portland State; April 3-4 vs. New Mexico; April 10 -11 vs. Air Force; April 17-18 at San Jose State; May 1-2 vs. TCU; May 5 vs. Arizona State.

THE TEAMS: UNLV is 23-13 overall and 6-6 in the WAC South Division. UNLV lost to Portland State 18-9 on Wednesday at Wilson Stadium. UNLV then lost two out of three games at TCU last weekend (7-10, 1-5, 9-2). New Mexico is 15-19 overall and 5-8 in the WAC South Division. The Lobos lost three games at Fresno State last weekend (7-4, 7-1, 12-6).

THE SERIES: UNLV leads the series against New Mexico 39-16. UNLV and New Mexico split six games last season. UNLV won two of three games at Albuquerque (UNLV 10-9, NM 7-5, UNLV 12-9) and New Mexico won two out of three games at Las Vegas (UNLV 13-8, NM 8-6, 11-7).

WAC SOUTH DIVISION: Rice leads the South Division with a 14-1 record. TCU is second with a 8-3 record (4 games back); UNLV 6-6 (6.5) and New Mexico 5-8 (8).

UNLV HEAD COACH ROD SOESBE: He is in his 14th season at UNLV and his second as head coach. His career record is 47-44 (.516). Rod was named as the fourth head coach in UNLV baseball history on Sept. 10, 1996. He spent 12 seasons as the top assistant coach to Fred Dallimore. Soesbe came to UNLV in 1985 and served as the team's hitting instructor, working with the infielders and third base coach. He spent six years at Yavapai College (Prescott, Ariz.) from 1978-83 and was head coach at Lee College in Baytown, Texas, in 1984. He was twice named the Arizona Junior College "Coach of the Year" in 1978 and 1979. He was also named regional "Coach of the Year" for those two seasons.

COACHES: Rich Alday is in his ninth season at New Mexico and his record is 247-235-1 and career record over 26 seasons is 743-455-1.

EARL E. WILSON BASEBALL STADIUM: UNLV baseball is in its fifth season playing in the 3,000-seat Earl E. Wilson Baseball Stadium at Roger Barnson Field (26th season playing on the existing field). A gift of $1.2 million from the estate of the late Earl and Hazel Wilson was used for the construction of the Stadium. The stadium features 2,500 theater-type seats and 500 bleacher-back seats; paved parking for 400 cars; a 60-foot enclosed press box; restrooms for fans, concession areas; backstop; public address system; batter's eye in centerfield; and stadium entrance complete with handicap access (tunnel and ramp). Wilson Stadium was dedicated on Saturday, Jan. 29, 1994 prior to the UNLV Alumni Game. Jay Brown and Mel Wolzinger, co-trustees of the Earl and Hazel Wilson estate, were on hand to bring in a new era to Rebel baseball. A crowd of 2,500, the largest home crowd in UNLV baseball history, saw the UNLV Alumni defeat the varsity 15-14.

REBEL NOTES: UNLV entered the USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll at No. 22 on Feb. 23...The Rebels were ranked No. 22 for three weeks (Feb. 23, March 2, 9)...UNLV dropped out of the poll on March 16...UNLV was ranked during the 1996 season (except for the first two weeks of the season). The 1996 Rebels were 43-17 and captured the 1996 Big West Tournament and advanced to the NCAA Regionals...UNLV established season highs in runs (22) and hits (23) against Grand Canyon on March 14...UNLV has scored 10 or more runs in 12 games...UNLV is batting .331 as a team (429-for-1295) and is fielding .958 with 58 errors in 36 games...Two players have started in all 36 games (Kevin Eberwein and Eliott Sarabia)...The team ERA is 5.10...The WAC schedule features 30 league games with six teams qualifying for the WAC Tournament on May 13-16, at San Diego, Calif.

UNLV BASEBALL PLAYER-BY-PLAYER NOTES:
CHRIS ADOLPH: The junior outfielder from Fresno, Calif., has appeared in 33 games and is batting .309 (43-for-139) with 12 doubles, 3 triples and 23 RBI. He was 4-for-7 in two games against Southern Utah (Feb. 3-4). He was 3-for-5 with 3 RBI against Utah on Feb. 8. He was 3-for-5 against UNR on Feb. 16. Batted .444 (8-for-18) over a four-game stretch (Feb. 14-16 vs. Southern Illinois and UNR). He had a career-high 14-game hitting streak (Jan. 30 - Feb. 20). He was 3-for-5 with his first career grand slam and 5 RBI against Grand Canyon on March 14. His grand slam highlighted a nine run third inning. He was 2-for-4 against No. 4 Arizona on March 18. He batted .400 (6-for-15) in the TCU series (March 27-29), including a 4-for-5 with 3 RBI performance on March 27. He has compiled 12 multiple hit games. He has hit safely in 26 of 33 games.

BILLY BARKER: The junior left-hander from Yakima, Wash., has appeared in nine games (seven started) and has a 2-3 record with a 4.93 ERA. Pitched in 45.2 innings, allowed 54 hits and has struck out 32. He pitched 6.2 innings in his second start against UNR on Feb. 13. Allowed 5 hits and 3 runs in a no decision. Pitched 6.1 innings against Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 20. Allowed 3 earned runs in a no decision. He defeated Cal State Northridge 11-2 in the Coors Desert Classic on March 5 for his first victory as a Rebel. Pitched 7 innings and allowed 2 runs. He posted his second victory against Grand Canyon on March 14. He pitched 7 innings, allowed 3 earned runs and struck out a career-high 10.

BRAD BEASLEY: The freshman catcher from Las Cruces, N.M. has appeared in five games and is batting .455 (10-for-22) with 9 runs scored. He was 4-for-6 with 4 runs scored in his first collegiate start against Utah on Feb. 8. He was 4-for-4 with 3 runs scored against Southern Illinois on Feb. 15. He was 1-for-3 against Fresno State on Feb. 28.

SEAN CAMPBELL: The junior catcher/first baseman from Fresno, Calif., has appeared in 34 games and is batting .341 (45-for-132) with 6 home runs and 24 RBI. He batted .500 (4-for-8) in two games against UC Santa Barbara (Jan. 30, Feb. 1). Batted .583 (7-for-12) in the Utah series (Feb. 6-8). He was 3-for-3 against the Utes on Feb. 6. He was 3-for-4 with 3 runs scored against UNR on Feb. 15. He was 1-for-4 with 3 RBI against Fresno State on Feb. 28. His two-out three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning, led UNLV to a come from behind 5-4 win. He was 2-for-3 against Ohio State on March 8. He batted .563 (9-for-16) in the Grand Canyon series (March 13-15). He was 4-for-7 with 3 RBI and 3-for-5 against the Antelopes (March 14-15). He was 2-for-4 with 1 RBI against No. 4 Arizona on March 18. He missed two games in the Rice series with a viral infection (March 21-22). He was 2-for-4 with 1 RBI against Portland State on March 25. Batted .364 (4-for-11) in the TCU series (March 27-29). He has compiled 14 multiple hit games. Hit safely in 26 of 33 games and four straight.

TONY DeMARCO: The sophomore first baseman from Las Vegas has appeared in 28 games and is the team's leading hitter at .421 (45-for-107) with 29 RBI. He was 3-for-3 with 4 RBI against UC Santa Barbara on Feb. 1. He was 5-for-6 against Pepperdine on Feb. 10. His two-run triple in the bottom of the 12th won the game for UNLV (8-7 over the Waves). He was 3-for-5 against UNR on Feb. 13. He batted .500 (4-for-8) in the Cal State Fullerton series (Feb. 20-21). He was 0-for-2 against Fresno State on Feb. 27 and left the game in the eighth inning when he was spiked in the right heel. He missed the final two games of the series. He missed the entire UNLV/Coors Desert Classic with a sore back. He returned to the lineup against Grand Canyon on March 13. He was 2-for-4 against the Antelopes on March 15. He batted .667 (4-for-6) in the Arizona series (March 17-18); 2-for-3 in two games against the Wildcats. Batted .400 (4-for-10) with 5 RBI in the Rice series (March 20-22). He was 1-for-5 with a two-run double against Portland State on March 25. Batted .467 (7-for-15) in the TCU series (March 27-29). He was 4-for-4 with 2 RBI against the Horned Frogs on March 29. Batting .474 (18-for-38) over his last 10 games.

He has compiled 13 multiple hit games. He has hit safely in 24 of 28 games. He had a 10-game hitting streak (March 13-27).

KEVIN EBERWEIN: The junior third baseman from Las Vegas was a preseason third-team All-American by Baseball America. He has appeared in 36 games and is batting .348 (53-for-152) with 18 doubles (tied for team lead) and 29 RBI. He was 3-for-5 with 2 doubles in the season opener against UC Santa Barbara on Jan. 30. He batted .625 (5-for-8) in two games against Southern Utah (Feb. 3-4). He was 3-for-5 against UNR on Feb. 13. He was 4-for-4 with 2 doubles and 4 RBI against Southern Illinois on Feb. 14. He was 2-for-5 with 2 doubles against Fresno State on Feb. 27. He was 3-for-5 with 2 RBI against Oral Roberts on March 5. He batted .545 (6-for-11) in the Grand Canyon series on March 13-15. He was 3-for-4 against the Antelopes on March 15. Batted .357 (5-for-14) with 3 doubles in the TCU series (March 27-29). He has compiled 15 multiple hit games (57 in his career). He has hit safely in 31 of 36 games and 12 straight. He has appeared in 147 career games and is batting .348 (192-for-551).

BRYAN GIDGE: The junior right-hander from Yakima, Wash., has appeared in 6 games and has a 2-1 record with a 4.95 ERA in 20 innings. Has allowed 17 hits and struck out 15. He defeated UC Santa Barbara in the season opener on Jan. 30. He pitched 6.2 innings, allowed 4 hits, no earned runs and struck out 4. He recorded his second victory against Southern Utah on Feb. 4. He pitched 6 innings and allowed 1 run and struck out 6. He missed two and half weeks with a tender right elbow. Returned against Fresno State on March 1. He pitched 3.1 innings and allowed 5 runs in a no decision. He started the championship game of the Coors Desert Classic against Ohio State on March 8. He faced five batters and left the game.

CHRIS GILLETTE: The junior second baseman from Missoula, Montana, has appeared in 33 games and is batting .342 (41-for-120) with 11 doubles. He was 3-for-5 with a double and home run in the season opener against UC Santa Barbara on Jan. 30. He was 3-for-4 with 3 runs scored against UNR on Feb. 13; 3-for-6 with 2 doubles against Southern Illinois on Feb. 14. He was 2-for-4 against No. 13 Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 20. He was 2-for-5 and 2-for-4 against Fresno State (Feb. 27-28). He batted .421 (8-for-19) in five games in the Coors Desert Classic on March 5-8. He was 3-for-5 with 3 RBI against Cal State Northridge on March 5. Batted .407 (24-for-59) over a 15-game stretch (Feb. 13 - March 8). He was 2-for-4 against Grand Canyon on March 15. He batted .571 (4-for-7) in the Arizona series (March 17-18). He was 3-for-4 against the fourth-ranked Wildcats on March 17. He was 1-for-3 with 3 runs scored against No. 9 Rice on March 22. He was 2-for-3 with 2 RBI against Portland State on March 25. He has compiled 14 multiple hit games.

RYAN HAMILL: The freshman catcher/designated hitter from Woodland Hills, Calif., has appeared in 26 games and is batting .293 (22-for-75) with 8 home runs (second on the team) and 23 RBI. He was 2-for-4 with his first collegiate home run and 3 RBI against Utah on Feb. 6. He hit a pinch-hit home run to tie the game against Pepperdine on Feb. 11. He was 2-for-5 with a solo home run against Southern Illinois on Feb. 15. He was 1-for-4 with a three-run home run against UNR on Feb. 16. He was 2-for-3 with 3 runs scored against Cal State Northridge in the Coors Desert

Classic on March 5. He batted .364 (4-for-11) with 4 RBI in the Grand Canyon series (March 13-15). He was 2-for-4 with 2 RBI against the Antelopes on March 15. Batted .429 (3-for-7) in the Arizona series (March 17-18). He was 2-for-4 with a double, home run and 2 RBI against the fourth-ranked Wildcats on March 17. Batted .300 (3-for-10) with 2 home runs and 5 RBI in the Rice series (March 20-22). He was 2-for-4 with 4 RBI against the Owls on March 22. He batted .394 (13-for-33) over an 11-game stretch (March 5-22).

HENRY JONES: The junior outfielder from Los Angeles, Calif., has appeared in 19 games and is batting .250 (13-for-52). He was 2-for-4 against Utah on Feb. 7 and 3-for-4 against the Utes on Feb. 8. He was 2-for-6 against Pepperdine on Feb. 10. He was 1-for-3 with 1 RBI against No. 13 Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 20. He was 1-for-4 with a three-run double against Cal State Northridge on March 5.

MIKE LOPEZ: The junior left-hander from Diamond Bar, Calif., has appeared in 11 games. He has a 0-2 record with a 4.50 ERA. Pitched in 22 innings, allowed 29 hits and has struck out 19. Pitched three scoreless innings in relief against Fresno State on March 1. Pitched two scoreless innings and struck out four against Cal State Northridge on March 5 in the Coors Desert Classic. Tossed four scorelss innings and struck out five in relief against No. 9 Rice on March 21. He made his first start against TCU on March 28. He pitched 5 innings, allowed 8 hits , 5 strikeouts and 5 runs. TCU defeated UNLV 5-1.

RYAN LUDWICK: The sophomore outfielder from Las Vegas was a second-team preseason All-American by Baseball America. He has appeared in 35 games and is batting .343 (47-for-137) with 18 doubles (tied for team lead) and is the team-leader with 9 home runs and 38 RBI. He was 1-for-4 and hit his first collegiate grand slam against Southern Utah on Feb. 4. He compiled four straight multiple hit games against Utah and Pepperdine (Feb. 7-10) and batted .667 (10-for-15). He was named the WAC's Player of the Week (Feb. 9). He was 3-for-4 with 3 doubles against Utah on Feb. 8. He was 2-for-5 with a home run against UNR on Feb. 13. He was 2-for-4 with 1 RBI against No. 13 Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 20. He was 2-for-3 with a key double in UNLV's come from behind 5-4 victory over Fresno State on Feb. 28. He batted .450 (9-for-20) in five games in the UNLV/Coors Desert Classic (March 5-8). He was 3-for-3 with 3 RBI against Oral Roberts (March 5); 2-for-5 with 3 RBI against Ohio State (March 7). He batted .462 (6-for-13) with 3 home runs and 5 RBI in the Grand Canyon series (March 13-15). He was 2-for-5 with 2 home runs against the Antelopes on March 15. He was 2-for-4 against Rice on March 20. He was 3-for-5 with 2 doubles and 2 RBI against Portland State on March 25. He has compiled 15 multiple hit games. He has hit safely in 26 of 33 games. He had a 13-game hitting streak (Feb. 28 - March 20). He has appeared in 90 career games and is batting .349 (128-for-366), which ranks him 10th all-time in UNLV batting.

ANDY McCULLOCH: The sophomore right-hander from Las Vegas has appeared in 11 games and has a 4-1 record with a 2.52 ERA (leads staff). He has pitched in 25 innings and has struck out 23. He is second on the staff with 2 saves. Pitched 2.1 innings and recorded the save in the season opener against UC Santa Barbara on Jan. 30. Recorded his second save with 1 scoreless inning against Utah on Feb. 6.He recorded his first victory over UNR on Feb. 13. Pitched 1.2 innings and allowed 7 runs (no earned). Recorded his second victory against No. 13 Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 20. He pitched 1.2 innings and allowed 1 run and struck out 2. He pitched two scoreless innings in relief against Fresno State on March 1 to record his third victory. He improved his record to 4-0 with his first start of the season against Grand Canyon on March 15. He pitched 6 innings and allowed 2 runs and struck out 6. He suffered his first loss of the season against No. 9 Rice on March 21. Pitched 4 innings, allowed 7 hits and 3 earned runs. Pitched 2 scoreless innings of relief against TCU on March 28.

JESSE PRYOR: The sophomore outfielder from Tucson, Ariz., has appeared in 26 games and is batting .325 (27-for-83) with 25 RBI. He was 2-for-4 against UC Santa Barbara on Feb. 1. He was 2-for-5 with 3 runs scored 1 home run and 3 RBI against Utah on Feb. 8. He was 3-for-5 with 4 RBI against Southern Illinois on Feb. 15. He batted .400 (2-for-5) in the Cal State Fullerton series (Feb. 20-21). He was 1-for-3 with a three-run triple in the first inning against Fresno State on March 1. He has a career-high 11-game hitting streak (Feb. 8-27). He batted .429 (3-for-7) in two games against Ohio State in two games in the Coors Desert Classic (March 7-8). Batted .500 (3-for-6) in the TCU series (March 27-29). He had a pinch-hit two-run home run against the Horned Frogs on March 27. Batting .750 (3-for-4) with 3 RBI as a pinch-hitter. He has hit safely in 19 out of 25 games. He has compiled 7 multiple hit games.

ELIOTT SARABIA: The junior shortstop from Rialto, Calif., has appeared in 36 games and is batting .270 (37-for-137) with 17 RBI. A solid defensive shortstop, he is fielding .964. He was 2-for-5 with 1 RBI against Utah on Feb. 8. He was 2-for-5 with 2 RBI against Southern Illinois on Feb. 14. He was 2-for-4 with 2 runs runs scored against UNR on Feb. 16. He batted .286 (2-for-7) in the Cal State Fullerton series (Feb. 20-21). He batted .444 (4-for-9) with 2 RBI in the Fresno State series (Feb. 27 - March 1). He had a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning to lead UNLV to a 6-5 victory over Fresno State on March 1. He batted .316 (6-for-19) in five games in the UNLV/Coors Desert Classic (March 5-8). He was 2-for-4 against both Lewis-Clark State and Ohio State. He batted .353 (6-for-17) with 4 RBI in the Grand Canyon series (March 13-15). He was 2-for-4; 2-for-7; 2-for-6 against the Antelopes. He was 2-for-5 against Portland State on March 25. Batted .364 (4-for-11) in the TCU series (March 27-29), including a 2-for-4 performance on March 27. Batting .300 (15-for-50) in 12 WAC games.

JIMMY SMITH: The junior right-hander from Olympia, Wash., has appeared in 16 games (leads staff) and leads the staff with 5 saves. He has a 3.66 ERA in 19.2 innings pitched and has struck out 24. He recorded both saves over UNR on Feb. 13 and Feb. 15, working a total of 2.2 scoreless innings against the Wolf Pack. He registered his third save against No. 13 Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 20. Hepitched one scoreless inning and struck out 1. He retired the final two batters against Fresno State on March 1 to record his fourth save. He earned his fifth save against No. 4 Arizona on March 18. He retired the last four batters and struck out three. He worked two scoreless innings over two appearances against TCU on March 28 and 29.

NATE SMITH: The junior outfielder from Las Vegas has appeared in 25 games and is batting .395 (32-for-81) with 19 RBI. He was 2-for-3 against UC Santa Barbara in the season opener on Jan. 30. He was 2-for-5 with 2 RBI against Southern Illinois on Feb. 14 and 3-for-5 with 2 doubles and 3 RBI against Southern Illinois on Feb. 15. He had a pinch-hit single against No. 13 Cal State Fuller ton on Feb. 21. Batting .800 (4-for-5) as a pinch-hitter in two seasons at UNLV. He batted .600 (6-for-10) with 4 RBI in the Grand Canyon series (March 13-15). He was 3-for-5 with 2 home runs and 3 RBI on March 14 and 3-for-5 on March 15. He batted .714 (5-for-7) in the Arizona series (March 17-18). He was 2-for-3 and 3-for-4 against the fourth-ranked Wildcats. He was 2-for-4 with 2 RBI against No. 9 Rice on March 22. He was 2-for-3 with 2 RBI against TCU on March 29. He has compiled 10 multiple hit games. He is batting .450 (18-for-40) over the last eight games.

JERIMIAH TIPTON: The senior right-hander from Las Vegas has appeared in 11 games (started 5) and has a 5-0 record with a 4.31 ERA in 56.1 innings pitched. He has allowed 55 hits and has struck out 36. He pitched 5 innings in relief against Pepperdine on Feb. 11. He allowed five hits and two earned runs. He recorded his first victory of the season against UNR on Feb. 15. He pitched 5.1 innings and allowed 4 earned runs. He allowed only one hit in the first five innings. He defeated Oral Roberts 10-4 on March 5. Pitched 5.2 innnings and allowed 4 earned runs. He pitched 5 strong innings in relief against Grand Canyon on March 13. He allowed 4 hits and 1 run. He defeated No. 4 Arizona 6-3 on March 17. He pitched 8 innings, allowed 8 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk and 4 strikeouts. He defeated No. 9 Rice 12-1 on March 22. Hurled his first career complete game. He allowed 6 hits, 1 run and tied his career-high with 10 strikeouts. He was named the WAC Pitcher of the Week and The Sporting News Co-Pitcher of the Week (March 23). Recorded his fifth victory against TCU on March 29. Pitched 6.2 innings, allowed 8 hits and 2 runs. He didn't allow a run until the sixth inning. In his last three starts: 3-0, 1.88 ERA, 23.2 IP, 22 hits, 5 runs, 17 K's.

MIKE ZIPSER: The junior right-hander from Las Vegas has appeared in 9 games and is 5-3 with a 4.10 ERA. He has pitched in 59.1 innings and has walked only 9 batters and has struck out a team-leading 53. He defeated UC Santa Barbara in his first start on Feb. 1. He pitched 5 innings and allowed 2 runs. He defeated Utah on Feb. 6 for his second victory. He pitched 8 innings, allowed 3 runs and struck out a career-high 9 batters. He recorded his third victory against UNR on Feb. 16. He notched the team's first complete game of the season. He allowed only 4 hits, 1 run and tied his career-high with 9 strikeouts. He suffered his first defeat of the season against No. 13 Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 21. He pitched 5.2 innings and allowed 6 earned runs. He recorded his fourth victory of the season against Fresno State on Feb. 28. Pitched his second complete game of the season. He allowed 7 hits, 1 earned run and struck out 7. He allowed only one hit over the final seven innings. He defeated Ohio State 9-8 on March 7 for his fifth victory. Pitched 7 innings and allowed 3 earned runs and tied his career-high with 9 strikeouts. He pitched 5 innings against TCU in a 10-7 defeat. Allowed 6 hits, 4 runs and struck out 7.