6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
February 23, 1999
WHEN/WHERE: The UNLV baseball team, 3-9, will host the 19th Annual/UNLV Coors Desert Classic on Thursday-Sunday, Feb. 25-28, at Earl E. Wilson Stadium (3,000). The following is UNLV's schedule over the next two weeks.
THIS WEEK:
19th Annual UNLV/Coors Desert Classic, Thursday-Sunday, Feb. 25-28:
Thursday, Feb. 25 - Nevada, Reno vs. UNLV, 5 p.m. , Earl E. Wilson Stadium*
Friday, Feb. 26 - No. 11 Clemson vs. UNLV, 5 p.m., Earl E. Wilson Stadium*
Saturday, Feb. 27 - Creighton vs. UNLV, 1:30 p.m., Earl E. Wilson Stadium*
Saturday, Feb. 27 - Washington vs. UNLV, 5 p.m., Earl. E. Wilson Stadium (NO RADIO)
Sunday, Feb. 28 - Nevada, Reno vs. UNLV, 1:30 p.m., Earl E. Wilson Stadium*
NEXT WEEK:
Tuesday, March 2 - Loyola Marymount vs. UNLV, 3:05 p.m., Earl E. Wilson Stadium*
Wednesday, March 3 - Loyola Marymount vs. UNLV, 3:05 p.m., Earl E. Wilson Stadium*
Friday, March 5 - **Air Force vs. UNLV, 3:05 p.m., Earl E. Wilson Stadium*
Saturday, March 6 - **Air Force vs. UNLV, 1:05 p.m. , Earl E. Wilson Stadium*
Sunday, March 7 - **Air Force vs. UNLV, 1:05 p.m., Earl E. Wilson Stadium*
*KSFN AM-1140 Radio
**WAC Game
RADIO: The radio home for UNLV baseball in 1999 will be KSFN AM-1140. Scott Robbs returns for his second season and will call the action all season long. The pregame show begins 20 minutes prior to the first pitch. Listen to Rebel baseball on the internet at www.radiovegas.com Click on the UNLV baseball logo.
THE TEAMS: UNLV is 3-9 on the season. Cal State Fullerton swept UNLV in a three-game series last weekend at Wilson Stadium (21-14, 16-6, 13-2). UNLV is 1-8 over its last nine games. No. 11 Clemson is 3-0 on the season. The Tigers swept a three-game series against Kansas State on Feb. 12-14. The scores were 10-7, 10-4, 11-3. Creighton is 6-1 on the season. The BlueJays defeated SE Missouri two out of three games last weekend (2-3, 3-2, 11-1). UNR is 8-4 on the season. The Wolf Pack won three games last weekend in Phoenix, Ariz. (Feb. 18-20). They defeated Kansas 10-1, Northwestern 11-2, Kansas 22-4. No. 23 Washington is 4-2 on the season. The Huskies lost two out of three games last weekend at Cal State Northridge (10-1, 4-9, 9-12). Loyola Marymount is 6-7 on the season. The Lions will play Long Beach State and Cal State Northridge in a three-game series this weekend before the UNLV series. Air Force is 5-9 on the season. The Falcons will play West Virginia, Army and Navy in the Services Academies Classic (Feb. 25-28) in Millington., Tenn, before opening up WAC play.
THE SERIES: Clemson leads the series against UNLV 2-1. UNLV defeated Clemson 4-3 in the 1997 Desert Classic. UNLV leads the series against Creighton 6-1. UNLV defeated Creighton three out of four games at Wilson Stadium in 1994: UNLV 7-5, 7-2, Creighton 12-8, UNLV 11-10. UNLV leads the series against UNR 54-29. UNLV swept UNR in a three-game series last season at Wilson Stadium (13-10, 7-4, 9-1). UNLV leads the series against Washington 6-2. UNLV defeated Washington two out of three games at Wilson Stadium in 1997: UNLV 12-10, Washington 11-8, UNLV 9-8. UNLV leads the series against Loyola Marymount 23-14. UNLV defeated LMU twice (10-9, 21-8) in the 1997 season at Wilson Stadium. UNLV leads the series against Air Force 20-7. UNLV won two out of three games last season at Wilson Stadium (11-10, 12-16, 12-6).
UNLV HEAD COACH ROD SOESBE: He is in his 15th season at UNLV and his third as head coach. His career record is 58-64 (.475). 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. He came to UNLV in 1985 and served as the team's hitting instructor, working with the infielders and third base coach. Soesbe, on Jan. 19, 1999, was named as an assistant coach of the 1999 USA Baseball National Team. Texas A&M head coach Mark Johnson will serve as the head coach. Soesbe 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: Jack Leggett is in his sixth season at Clemson and his record is 249-88 (.739) and career record over 20 seasons is 626-375 (.625). Jack Dahm is in his seventh season at Creighton and his record is 142-137-1 (.509). Gary Powers is in his 17th season at UNR and his record is 492-370-4 (.569). Ken Knutson is in his seventh season at Washington and his record is 143-97 (.596). Frank Cruz is in his second season at Loyola Marymount and his record is 61-68-1 (.473). Joe Giarratano is in his first season at Air Force. His career record over six seasons is 146-94 (.608).
EARL E. WILSON BASEBALL STADIUM: UNLV baseball is in its sixth season playing in the 3,000-seat Earl E. Wilson Baseball Stadium at Roger Barnson Field (27th 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. The park dimensions are 335-375-400-375-335.
REBEL NOTES: The Rebels will play 60 games which features 31 home games and 29 road games. The WAC will feature a one-division format. The previous two seasons (1997-98) featured a three division format which was separated according to region (North, South and West Divisions). The 11-team division (Air Force, BYU, Fresno State, Hawai'i, New Mexico, Rice, San Diego State, San Jose State, TCU, Utah, UNLV) will feature a 30-game league schedule with each team playing three games against each conference opponent. The top six teams will qualify for the WAC Tournament on Wednesday-Saturday, May 19-22, in Fresno, Calif. Eight opponents are currently ranked in Collegiate Baseball's Top 30: No. 3 Rice; No. 14 Cal State Fullerton, No. 15 Texas A&M; No. 21 Arizona; No. 22 Clemson; No. 24 Washington; No. 30 Pepperdine. UNLV will be a member of the Mountain West Conference for the 2000 season. Six teams will play in the sport of baseball: Air Force, BYU, New Mexico, San Diego State, Utah, UNLV.
PAST WINNERS OF DESERT CLASSIC: 1979 - Oklahoma; 1980 - Cal State Northridge; 1982 - San Diego State; 1983 - UNLV; 1984 - San Diego State; 1985 - Washington State; 1986 - Washington State; 1987 - Oklahoma; 1988 - Oklahoma; 1989 - UNLV; 1990 - Illinois; 1991 - Clemson; 1992 - Northwestern; 1993 - Wyoming; 1994 - UNLV; 1995 - UNLV; 1997 - Cal State Northridge; 1998 - Ohio State.
UNLV PLAYER-BY-PLAYER NOTES:
CHRIS ADOLPH: The senior outfielder has appeared in 11 games and is batting .341 (14-for-41) with 7 RBI and is 4-for-4 in stolen bases. Batted .625 (5-for-8) in the Pepperdine series (Feb. 13-14). He was 3-for-5 with 3 RBI against the Waves of Feb. 14. He was 2-for-3 with 2 stolen bases against Lewis-Clark State on Feb. 16. He was 3-for-5 with 3 runs scored against No. 14 Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 19. Batted .524 (11-for-21) over a five-game stretch (Feb. 13-19).
BILLY BARKER: The senior left-hander has appeared in 3 games and has a 1-2 record in 13 innings pitched. Recorded his first victory of the season against UC Santa Barbara on Feb. 7. Pitched four scoreless innings in relief, allowed 4 hits and no runs and struck out 6. Pitched 6 innings and allowed 5 runs in a 7-1 loss at No. 30 Pepperdine on Feb. 13.
HAROLD BETTS: The junior catcher has appeared in 7 games and is batting .304 (7-for-23). He was 2-for-3 with 2 runs scored against UC Santa Barbara on Feb. 6. He was 1-for-2 vs. No. 21 Arizona on Feb. 10. He was 2-for-3 against No. 14 Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 21.
CLAY BELDING: The sophomore third baseman has appeared in 9 games and is batting .294 (10-for-34) with 1 home run and 7 RBI. Batted .500 (4-for-8) in the UC Santa Barbara series. He was 2-for-4 with 2 RBI against the Gauchos on Feb. 5. He was 2-for-5 with a double, home run and 2 RBI against No. 21 Arizona on Feb. 10. He was 2-for-4 against No. 14 Cal State Fullerton Feb. 21.
TONY DeMARCO: The junior designated hitter/first baseman has appeared in 7 games and is batting .375 (12-for-32) with 14 RBI (team lead). Batted .467 (7-for-15) with 7 RBI in the UC Santa Barbara series (Feb. 5-7). He was 5-for-6 with 3 RBI against the Gauchos on Feb. 6. He was 2-for-5 vs. No. 21 Arizona on Feb. 9. He injured his shoulder (Feb. 10) and missed four games. Returned to the lineup against Lewis-Clark State on Feb. 17 and was 1-for-1 with a 2-run single in the first inning (left the game with the shoulder injury). He was 1-for-6 (Feb. 19) with 3 RBI and 1-for-5 (Feb. 20) with 2 RBI against No. 14 Cal State Fullerton. He has compiled 2 multiple-hit games.
BRYAN GIDGE: The right-hander has appeared in 4 games and has a 2-1 record in 24 innings pitched. He has allowed 27 hits and has struck out 21 batters. He defeated UC Santa Barbara 9-5 in the season opener on Feb. 5. He pitched 5 innings, 8 hits, 5 runs, 1 walk and struck out a career-high 7 batters. He had a no decision against No. 21 Arizona on Feb. 10. Pitched 5 innings, allowed 7 hits, 5 runs (3 earned) and struck out 5. He pitched his best game at UNLV against Lewis-Clark State on Feb. 16. He tossed a two-hit shutout (first career complete game) and struck out 5. He didn't allow a hit through the first 5 innings. He retired 11 of the last 12 batters he faced. He lost his first game of the season to No. 14 Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 21. Pitched 5 innings and allowed 8 runs.
CHRIS GILLETTE: The senior infielder has appeared in 3 games and is batting .250 (1-for-4). He was slowed by a sprained ankle. He was 1-for-1 (pinch-hit) against Lewis-Clark State on Feb. 17.
RYAN HAMILL: The sophomore catcher has appeared in 12 games and is batting .333 (14-for-42) with 9 RBI. Batted .571 (8-for-14) with 4 RBI in the UC Santa Barbara series (Feb. 5-7). He was 3-for-4 on Feb. 5; 2-for-5 with 2 RBI on Feb. 6; 3-for-5 on Feb. 7. He was 2-for-6 (Feb. 19) and 1-for-2 (Feb. 21) with 1 RBI against No. 14 Cal State Fullerton.
TOBY HARRIS: The junior right-hander has appeared in 4 games and has a 0-2 record in 17.1 innings pitched. He recorded his first career save with four strong innings against UC Santa Barbara in the season opener on Feb. 5. Allowed no runs and struck out 3. Had another strong outing against No. 21 Arizona on Feb. 9. Pitched 6 innings, allowed 7 hits, 6 runs (5 earned) and lost 6-5. He had a no decision at No. 30 Pepperdine on Feb. 14. Pitched 6.1 innings, allowed 8 hits, 5 runs, 1 walk and struck out 3.
BRIAN HERTEL: The junior first baseman has appeared in 12 games and is batting .306 (15-for-49) with 8 RBI. He batted .400 (4-for-10) in the UC Santa Barbara series (Feb. 5-7). Batted .333 (3-for-9) in the Arizona series (Feb. 9-10). Batted .364 (4-for-11) in the Cal State Fullerton series (Feb. 19-21). He was 2-for-5 with 2 RBI against the 14th-ranked Titans on Feb. 19.
NATE KAUP: The junior third baseman/designated hitter has appeared in 8 games and is batting .379 (11-for-29) with 1 home run and 5 RBI. He was 3-for-4 with 3 runs scored and a two-run home run against No. 21 Arizona on Feb. 10. He was 2-for-6 against No. 30 Pepperdine on Feb. 14. He was 3-for-5 with 1 RBI against Lewis-Clark State on Feb. 17. He was 1-for-1 with a pinch-hit double against No. 14 Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 19. He has 3 multiple-hit games.
RYAN LUDWICK: The 1999 pre-season All-American baseball team, selected by Baseball America, was released on Jan. 5, 1999. UNLV outfielder Ryan Ludwick was selected as a first-team pre-season All-American. On Dec. 17, 1998, he was chosen pre-season second-team All-American by Collegiate Baseball. It marks the second straight season that he was selected as a pre-season All-American. Last season, he was chosen to the pre-season second-team by Baseball America. He becomes the sixth UNLV player in history to be selected as either a pre-season or regular season first-team All-American (Dan Murphy, 1980; Randy Ward, 1980; Matt Williams, 1986; Kevin Lofhtus, 1989; Donovan Osborne, 1989). He has appeared in 12 games and is batting .364 (16-for-44) with 1 home run and 9 RBI. Batted .600 (6-for-10) with 5 runs scored and 5 RBI in the UC Santa Barbara series (Feb. 5-7). He was a career-high 5-for-5 and tied his career-high with 4 RBI against the Gauchos on Feb. 7. He was 2-for-4 with 2 doubles against No. 30 Pepperdine on Feb. 13. He was 2-for-3 with 2 stolen bases against Lewis-Clark State on Feb. 16. Batted .417 (5-for-12) with 3 RBI in the Cal State Fullerton series (Feb. 19-21). He was 3-for-5 with his first home run of the season (two-run shot) on Feb. 19.
ANDY McCULLOCH: The junior right-hander has appeared in 3 games (2 starts) and has a 0-1 record in 13.2 innings pitched with a 4.61 ERA. He had a no decision against UC Santa Barbara on Feb. 7. Pitched 5 innings and allowed 6 runs. He suffered the loss against No. 30 Pepperdine (L 9-8 in 11 innings). Allowed 1 run in 2.2 innings. He had a strong performance in his second start against Lewis-Clark State on Feb. 17. Pitched 6 innings, allowed 5 hits, 3 runs (1 earned), no walks and struck out 5 in the no decision.
JESSE PRYOR: The junior outfielder has appeared in 11 games and is batting .296 (8-for-27) with 1 home run and 3 RBI. Batted .833 (5-for-6) in the UC Santa Barbara series (Feb. 5-7). Was 3-for-4 with 3 runs scored against the Gauchos on Feb. 7. Batted .400 (2-for-5) in the Lewis-Clark State series (Feb. 16-17). Batting .667 (2-for-3 with 2 RBI) as a pinch-hitter (solo home run vs. UCSB on Feb. 6). Batting .545 (6-for-11) with 5 RBI in his career as a pinch-hitter.
ELIOTT SARABIA: The senior shortstop has appeared in 12 games and is batting .231 (9-for-39) with 7 RBI. Fielding .946 with 3 errors in 56 chances. Team leader with 4 sacrifice bunts. Was 1-for-2 with 2 runs scored against UC Santa Barbara on Feb. 6. He was 1-for-4 with a career-high 4 RBI against No. 21 Arizona on Feb. 10. He was 2-for-3 against Lewis-Clark State on Feb. 16. He was 1-for-3 (Feb. 20) and 1-for-2 with 1 RBI (Feb. 21) against No. 14 Cal State Fullerton.
BILL SCHEFFELS: The senior right-hander has appeared in 5 games and is 0-0 in 12 innings pitched. He has struck out 16. He had a strong relief outing against No. Arizona on Feb. 9. Pitched 2.1 innings, allowed 2 runs and strong out 6 in a no decision. He pitched 2.2 scoreless innings of relief with 5 strikeouts against No. 14 Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 21.
DENNY SEYBERT: The junior outfielder has appeared in 8 games and is batting .269 (7-for-26). He was 2-for-5 with 3 runs scored against UC Santa Barbara on Feb. 6. He was 2-for-5 against No. 14 Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 21.
JIMMY SMITH: The senior right-hander has appeared in 4 games and has pitched in 3.1 innings. He pitched one scoreless inning against Lewis-Clark State on Feb. 17 and against No. 14 Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 20.
MATT STONER: The junior second baseman has appeared in 11 games and is batting .318 (14-for-44) with 1 home run and 6 RBI. Batted .385 (5-for-13) in the UC Santa Barbara series (Feb. 5-7). Batted .429 (3-for-7) in the Arizona series (Feb. 9-10). He was 1-for-4 with his first career home run at UNLV (2-run HR) vs. Lewis-Clark State on Feb. 17. He was 2-for-5 in each of the first two games against No. 14 Cal State Fullerton (Feb. 19 & 20). He has 5 multiple-hit games.
