WHEN/WHERE: The UNLV baseball team, 28-17 and 11-10 in the WAC South Division, will travel to Houston, Texas, this weeekend to face No. 14 Rice in a WAC three-game series.

THIS WEEK:
Friday, April 24 - UNLV at Rice, 7 p.m. (CST), Cameron Field, Houston, TX (2,000)+
Saturday, April 25 - UNLV at Rice, 2 p.m. (CST), DH, Cameron Field+

NEXT WEEK:
Friday, May 1 - *Texas Christian at UNLV, 7:05 p.m., Earl E. Wilson Stadium (3,000)+
Saturday, May 2 - *Texas Christian at UNLV, 1:05 p.m., Earl E. Wilson Stadium+
Sunday, May 3 - Texas Christian at UNLV, 5:05 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 28-17 overall and 11-10 in the WAC South Division. UNLV lost two out of three games against San Jose last weekend at San Jose, Calif. (3-8, 11-2, 13-14). No. 14 Rice is 35-14 overall and 21-3 in the WAC South Division. The Owls swept a three-game series over Utah last weekend in Salt Lake City (20-7, 16-5, 11-8). Rice will host Sam Houston State on Tuesday.

THE SERIES: The series is tied 6-6 between Rice and UNLV. Rice defeated UNLV two out of three games at Wilson Stadium on March 20-22. Rice won 12-6, 5-3 and UNLV won 12-1. UNLV is 3-5 against Rice in WAC games over the last two seasons.

WAC SOUTH DIVISION: Rice leads the South Division with a 21-3 record. TCU is second with a 13-7 record (6 games back); UNLV 11-10 (8.5) and New Mexico 8-13 (11.5). Six teams will qualify for the WAC Tournament to be played at Tony Gwynn Stadium (San Diego State) on Wednesday-Saturday, May 13-16. The three division winners (North, South, West) plus three wild cards will advance to the tournament. The three wild cards will be determined by the best conference record by percentage. If the WAC tournament started today, the three wild card teams would be: TCU (13-7), San Diego State (11-9), UNLV (11-10).

UNLV HEAD COACH ROD SOESBE: He is in his 14th season at UNLV and his second as head coach. His career record is 52-48 (.520). 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: Wayne Graham is in his seventh season at Rice and his record is 266-137 (.660).

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: The Rebels have posted 28 wins this season which surpassed last season's win total of 24...The 28 wins guarantees a .500 or better season for the 20th time in the last 23 seasons (1976-98)...UNLV is two wins shy of reaching the 30-win plateau for the 20th time in school history...UNLV had won 30 or more games for 17 straight seasons (1976-92)...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 last 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 19 games and seven out of its last eight...UNLV is batting .337 as a team and is fielding .953 with 83 errors in 45 games...The team ERA is 5.70...Two players have started in all 45 games (Kevin Eberwein and Eliott Sarabia)..Three players have hit 10 or more home runs: Ryan Hamill (11), Kevin Eberwein and Ryan Ludwick (10)...The school record is 6 players in a single season (1996) with 10 or more home runs.

UNLV BASEBALL PLAYER-BY-PLAYER NOTES:

CHRIS ADOLPH: The junior outfielder from Fresno, Calif., has appeared in 39 games and is batting .304 (48-for-158) with 13 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 was 3-for-4 over two games against San Jose State (April 18-19). He has compiled 13 multiple hit games. He has hit safely in 30 of 39 games.

BILLY BARKER: The junior left-hander from Yakima, Wash., has appeared in 13 games (9 started) and has a 4-3 record with a 4.53 ERA. Pitched in 59.2 innings, allowed 67 hits and has struck out 47. 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. He defeated Air Force 12-6 on April 12 for his third victory. He pitched 7.2 innings, allowed 9 hits, 6 runs (3 earned) and struck out 7. Recorded his fourth victory against San Jose State on April 18. He pitched 5.2 innings, allowed 3 hits, 2 runs, 6 walks and 7 strikeouts.

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 42 games and is batting .318 (55-for-173) with 9 home runs and 34 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 was 1-for-3 with his first career grand slam against New Mexico on April 5. He was 2-for-5 with 3 runs scored, double, home run and 2 RBI against Air Force on April 12. He was 3-for-6 against San Jose State on April 19. He has compiled 16 multiple hit games. Has hit safely in 33 of 42 games.

TONY DeMARCO: The sophomore first baseman from Las Vegas has appeared in 37 games and is the team's leading hitter at .396 (59-for-149), which ranks fifith in the WAC. He has 6 home runs and 38 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. He was 3-for-5 against New Mexico on April 5. His two-run double in the seventh helped lead UNLV to a 13-11 victory over the Lobos. He batted .429 (6-for-14) with 2 home runs and 4 RBI in the Air Force series (April 10-12). He was 3-for-5 with 2 RBI against the Falcons on April 12. He was 3-for-5 against San Jose State on April 19. His solo home run tied the game in the top of the ninth at 13-13. UNLV once trailed in the game, 12-2 (SJSU won 14-13). He is batting .400 (32-for-80) over his last 19 games. He has compiled 17 multiple hit games. Hit safely in 31 of 37 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 45 games and is batting .366 (68-for-186) with 23 doubles (team leader), 10 home runs and 41 RBI. Team-leader in hits and at bats. 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). Batted .455 (5-for-11) with 5 RBI in the New Mexico series (April 3-5). He was 3-for-5 with a double, triple, home run and 3 RBI against the Lobos on April 5. He batted .583 (7-for-12) with 3 doubles, 2 home runs and 5 RBI in the Air Force series (April 10-12). He has compiled 20 multiple hit games (62 in his career). He has hit safely in 39 of 45 games. He had a career-high 18-game hitting streak from March 13 - April 12. He batted .423 (30-for-71) with 7 home runs and 16 RBI during the hitting streak. He has appeared in 156 career games and is batting .354 (207-for-585), which ranks him 11th in all-time UNLV batting. He has 28 career home runs and 139 RBI. Eberwein's 23 doubles is the second highest total in a single season in UNLV history. The school record is 28 by Bill Max in 1981. The total by Max led the nation that season.

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 42 games and is batting .361 (56-for-155) with 13 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. Batted .556 (5-for-9) in the New Mexico series (April 3-5). He batted .333 (4-for-12) in the Air Force series (April 10-12). He batted .429 (6-for-14) in the San Jose State series (April 17-19). He was 3-for-5 with 4 RBI (April 18); 3-for-5 (April 19) against the Spartans. He has compiled 18 multiple hit games. He has hit safely in 30 of 42 games He is batting .429 (15-for-35) over his last nine games.

RYAN HAMILL: The freshman catcher/designated hitter from Woodland Hills, Calif., has appeared in 34 games and is batting .333 (36-for-108) with 11 home runs (team leader) and 32 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). Batted .429 (6-for-14) in the New Mexico series (April 3-5), including a 3-for-5 performance on April 5. He batted .500 (7-for-14) with 2 home runs and 6 RBI in the Air Force series (April 10-12). He was 3-for-4 with 2 home runs, including his first career grand slam and 5 RBI against the Falcons on April 10. He was 4-for-5 with 2 doubles against AFA on April 11. Batting .424 (14-for-33) over his last eight games. Batting .500 (3-for-6) with 2 RBI as a pinch-hitter.

HENRY JONES: The junior outfielder from Los Angeles, Calif., has appeared in 25 games and is batting .262 (17-for-65) with 11 RBI. 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. He was 2-for-5 with 3 RBI against New Mexico on April 4. He was 2-for-8 with 4 runs scored against San Jose State (April 18-19).

MIKE LOPEZ: The junior left-hander from Diamond Bar, Calif., has appeared in 13 games. He has a 0-2 record with a 8.75 ERA. Pitched in 23.2 innings, allowed 39 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 was invited to attend the USA Baseball National Team training camp on June 1 at Hi Corbett Field in Tucson, Ariz. He has appeared in 44 games and is batting .364 (63-for-173) with 19 doubles (second on team) and 10 home runs (second on team) and 47 RBI (team lead). 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 batted .571 (8-for-14) with 5 RBI in the New Mexico series (April 3-5). He was 4-for-5 with the game-winning RBI double in the bottom of the ninth on April 3 (UNLV 8-7); 3-for-5 with 3 runs scored on April 4. He batted .462 (6-for-13) in the Air Force series (April 10-12), including a 4-for-5 performance on April 12. He has compiled 20 multiple hit games. He had a 13-game hitting streak (Feb. 28 - March 20). Has hit safely in 33 of 44 games. He has appeared in 99 career games and is batting .358 (144-for-402), which ranks him ninth all-time in UNLV batting.

ANDY McCULLOCH: The sophomore right-hander from Las Vegas has appeared in 15 games (3 started) and has a 4-2 record with a 4.06 ERA (second on staff). He has pitched in 37.2 innings, allowed 39 hits and has struck out 32. 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. He pitched 5 innings in relief against New Mexico on April 5. Allowed 4 hits, 3 runs and struck out 2. He suffered his second defeat against Air Force on April 11. He pitched 4 innings and allowed 6 runs (5 earned). Pitched 2.2 innings and allowed 1 run in relief against San Jose State on April 19.

JESSE PRYOR: The sophomore outfielder from Tucson, Ariz., has appeared in 33 games and is batting .333 (34-for-102) with 4 home runs and 30 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. Batted .462 (6-for-13) with 2 doubles, 1 home run and 5 RBI in the San Jose State series (April 17-19). He was 3-for-4 with 2 doubles and 3 runs scored against the Spartans on April 18. Batting .667 (4-for-6) with 3 RBI as a pinch-hitter. He has hit safely in 24 out of 33 games. He has compiled 9 multiple hit games.

ELIOTT SARABIA: The junior shortstop from Rialto, Calif., has appeared in 45 games and is batting .275 (46-for-167) with 21 RBI. Team-leader with 8 sacrifice bunts. A solid defensive shortstop, he is fielding .942. 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. Batted .364 (4-for-11) in the New Mexico series (April 3-5). Batted .300 (3-for-10) in the Air Force series (April 10-12). Batting .300 (24-for-80) in 21 WAC games.

BILL SCHEFFELS: The junior right-hander from Simi Valley, Calif., has appeared in 15 games and has a 3-2 record. He has pitched in 43.2 innings, allowed 51 hits and has struck out 50. He recorded his first victory against Southern Illinois on Feb. 14. He pitched 6 innings and allowed 4 earned runs and struck out 8. Recorded his first save against Oral Roberts on March 5. He pitched 3.1 scoreless innings. Pitched 3.1 scoreless innings in relief against Ohio State on March 8. Recorded his second victory against Arizona on March 18. Pitched 7 innings and allowed 6 runs and 6 strikeouts. Recorded his third victory against New Mexico on April 5. Pitched 1.1 scoreless innings in relief.

JIMMY SMITH: The junior right-hander from Olympia, Wash., leads the team with 22 appearances and 7 saves. He has a 3-0 record and a 2.81 ERA (leads staff) in 25.2 innings pitched. He has allowed 19 hits and has struck out 32. 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. He recorded his second victory against New Mexico on April 4. Pitched two thirds of an inning. Registered his sixth save against the Lobos on April 5 with 1.1 scoreless innings. He defeated Air Force 11-10 on April 10. Pitched 1.2 innings and allowed 1 run. Recorded his seventh save against Air Force on April 12 and pitched 1.1 scoreless innings. He needs two saves to tie the school record for a single season. The school record is 9 by Rob Luce in 1996.

NATE SMITH: The junior outfielder from Las Vegas has appeared in 34 games and is batting .390 (48-for-123) with 5 triples (team leader) and 34 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 Fullerton 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. Batted .462 (6-for-13) in the New Mexico series (April 3-5). He was 3-for-4 with 3 runs scored against the Lobos on April 5. He batted .385 (5-for-13) with 4 RBI in the Air Force series (April 10-12). He was 2-for-5 with 3 RBI against San Jose State on April 18; 3-for-6 with 5 RBI against San Jose State on April 19. He has compiled 16 multiple hit games. He is batting .415 (34-for-82) over the last 17 games. Has hit safely in 26 of 34 games.

JERIMIAH TIPTON: The senior right-hander from Las Vegas has appeared in 14 games (started 8) and has a 5-1 record with a 5.19 ERA in 76.1 innings pitched (leads staff). He has allowed 85 hits and has struck out 46. 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. Pitched 8 innings in a no decision against New Mexico on April 3. Allowed 12 hits and 5 earned runs. Over four starts (March 17, 22, 29 and April 3) : 3-0, 2.81 ERA, 31.2 IP, 34 hits, 10 earned runs, 19 K's. He had a no decision against Air Force on April 10. He pitched 5 innings, allowed 11 hits and 7 runs. He suffered his first defeat of the season against San Jose State on April 17. He pitched 7 innings, allowed 7 hits and 7 runs (5 earned).

MIKE ZIPSER: The junior right-hander from Las Vegas has appeared in 11 games and is 5-4 with a 5.21 ERA. He has pitched in 65.2 innings and has walked only 13 batters and has struck out a team-leading 58. 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.