February 28, 1999

LAS VEGAS - UNLV defeated UNR 11-5 on Sunday, Feb. 28, at Earl E. Wilson Stadium. The Rebels went 2-3 in the four-day Coors Desert Classic. The Rebels, 5-12, played perhaps its best overall game of the season. Junior All-American outfielder Ryan Ludwick led UNLV with a 4-for-4 performance and a career-high 6 RBI. Ludwick powered a six-run fourth inning with his second career grand slam to left field to give UNLV a 7-4 lead. UNLV, trailing 4-1, scored six runs in the fourth and three runs in the sixth to secure the victory. The offense had 16 hits and the defense played errorless ball.

UNLV received good outings from a pair of freshman. Right-hander Joe Maruffi made his first collegiate start and pitched four innings. He allowed 7 hits and 4 runs. Left-hander Ryan Olson recorded his first collegiate win with 4.1 innings in relief. He allowed 6 hits, 1 run and struck out 6.

UNLV lost to UNR 9-5 on Thursday in the first game of the Desert Classic. UNLV then defeated No. 12 Clemson 12-11 in 10 innings on Friday night on senior shortstop Eliott Sarabia's single in the bottom of the 10th. UNLV then lost to Creighton, 8-7, and Washington, 14-7 on Saturday.

UNLV will host Loyola Marymount in a two-game series on Tuesday-Wednesday, March 2-3 at 3:05 p.m. UNLV then will open WAC play against Air Force on Friday-Sunday, March 5-6-7 at Wilson Stadium.