Hustlin' Rebels Host Loyola Marymount
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 1, 1999
WHEN/WHERE: The UNLV baseball team, 5-12, will host Loyola Marymount in a two-game series on Tuesday-Wednesday at Earl E. Wilson Stadium (3,000). UNLV then will open up WAC play against Air Force this weekend. The following is UNLV's schedule over the next two weeks.
THIS 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*
NEXT WEEK:
Thursday, March 11 - **BYU vs. UNLV, 3:05 p.m., Earl E. Wilson Stadium*
Friday, March 12 - **BYU vs. UNLV, 3:05 p.m., Earl E. Wilson Stadium*
Saturday, March 13 - **BYU vs. UNLV, 1:05 p.m., Earl E. Wilson Stadium*
Monday, March 15 - Southern Utah vs. UNLV, 3:05 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 5-12 on the season. UNLV compiled a record of 2-3 in the 19th Annual UNLV/Coors Desert Classic last weekend at Wilson Stadium. UNLV lost to UNR 9-5, defeated No. 12 Clemson 12-11 in 10 innings, lost to Creighton 8-7 and Washington, 14-7 and defeated UNR, 11-5. Loyola Marymount is 9-8 on the season. The Lions swept Cal State Northridge in a three-game series last weekend (11-7, 14-9, 5-4). Air Force is 9-9 on the season. The Falcons won four games last week in the Services Academies Classic (Feb. 25-28) in Millington., Tenn. Air Force defeated West Virginia 7-1, Army 10-3, Navy 3-2 and Connecticut, 7-6. BYU is 7-10 overall and 2-1 in the WAC. BYU defeated New Mexico two out of three games last weekend in Albuquerque. BYU won 17-14, lost 14-6 and won 12-11. The Cougars will travel to Hawai'i this weekend for a three-game series on Thursday-Saturday, March 4-6.
THE SERIES: 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 leads the series against BYU 40-33. BYU defeated UNLV two out of three games during the 1997 season. UNLV won 14-4 and lost 8-3 and 12-2. UNLV leads the series against Southern Utah 70-12. UNLV and SUU split two games last season at Wilson Stadium. UNLV lost 11-8 and won 17-1.
UNLV HEAD COACH ROD SOESBE: He is in his 15th season at UNLV and his third as head coach. His career record is 60-67 (.472). 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: Frank Cruz is in his second season at Loyola Marymount and his record is 64-68-1 (.485). Joe Giarratano is in his first season at Air Force. His career record over six seasons is 150-94 (.615). Gary Pullins is in his 23rd season at BYU and his record is 894-443-6 (.667). DeLynn Corry is in his second season at Southern Utah and his record is 22-28 (.440).
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.
19th ANNUAL UNLV/COORS DESERT CLASSIC: Washington captured the Desert Classic with a 3-2 record and won the second tie breaker over Creighton (3-2) with 60 runs scored in five games. Creighton and Washington were 1-1 in head-to-head competition. UNR was 2-2 and UNLV and Clemson each had 2-3 records. Scores of the Classic: Thursday, Feb. 25 - Washington 16, Creighton 12; Clemson 13, Washington 12; UNR 9, UNLV 5. Friday, Feb. 26 - Washington 12, UNR 8; Creighton 4, Clemson 3; UNLV 12, Clemson 11 in 10 innings. Saturday, Feb. 27 - UNR 7, Clemson 5; Creighton 8, UNLV 7; Washington 14, UNLV 7. Sunday, Feb. 28 - Creighton 9, Washington 6; UNLV 11, UNR 5; Clemson 13, Creighton 10.
PAST WINNERS OF THE COORS DESERT CLASSIC: 1979 - Oklahoma State; 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; 1999 - Washington.
UNLV PLAYER-BY-PLAYER NOTES:
CHRIS ADOLPH: The senior outfielder has appeared in 16 games and is batting .391 (25-for-64) with 5 doubles, 3 triples and 9 RBI and is 5-for-5 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). Batted .478 (11-for-23) in the Coors Desert Classic (Feb. 25-28) and compiled five straight multiple-hit games (2-for-5 vs. UNR; 2-for-4 vs. Clemson; 2-for-4 vs. Creighton; 3-for-5 with 4 runs scored vs. Washington; 2-for-5 vs. UNR). Has compiled 9 multiple-hit games and has hit in five straight games.
BILLY BARKER: The senior left-hander has appeared in 4 games and has a 1-2 record in 13.1 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 9 games and is batting .258 (8-for-31). 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 10 games and is batting .316 (12-for-38) with 1 home run and 8 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. He was 2-for-4 with 1 RBI against Creighton in the Coors Desert Classic (Feb. 27).
TONY DeMARCO: The junior designated hitter/first baseman has appeared in 8 games and is batting .364 (12-for-33) with 14 RBI. 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. He has missed the last four games with a shoulder injury.
BRYAN GIDGE: The right-hander has appeared in 5 games and has a 2-1 record in 28.1 innings pitched. He has allowed 32 hits and has struck out 25 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. He had a no decision against No. 12 Clemson in the Coors Desert Classic on Feb. 26. He pitched 4.1 innings, allowed 5 hits, 6 runs (4 earned), 8 walks, 4 strikeouts.
CHRIS GILLETTE: The senior infielder has appeared in 6 games and is batting .417 (5-for-12). He was slowed by a sprained ankle. He was 1-for-1 (pinch-hit) against Lewis-Clark State on Feb. 17. Batted .500 (4-for-8) in the Coors Desert Classic (Feb. 25-28). He was 3-for-3 with 2 doubles and 4 runs scored against UNR on Feb. 28.
RYAN HAMILL: The sophomore catcher has appeared in 17 games and is batting .348 (14-for-42) with 6 doubles (team leader), 3 home runs (team leader) and 18 RBI (tied for team lead). 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. Batted .375 (9-for-24) in the Coors Desert Classic (Feb. 25-28). He was 3-for-4 with a career-high 3 home runs and a career-high 7 RBI against No. 12 Clemson on Feb. 26. His third HR of the game, tied the score at 11-11 in the bottom of the tenth. UNLV defeated Clemson 12-11. He has compiled 8 multiple-hit games.
CHAD HARRIS: The freshman left-hander has appeared in 3 games and has a 0-1 record. He has pitched 9 innings, allowed 9 hits and struck out 7 with a 5.00 ERA. Pitched 3 innings in relief against No. 14 Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 19. He alllowed 2 hits and 1 run. Pitched 5.2 innings against Creighton in the Coors Desert Classic on Feb. 27. He allowed 6 hits and 3 runs and suffered the loss.
TOBY HARRIS: The junior right-hander has appeared in 5 games and has a 0-3 record in 22.1 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 16 games and is batting .288 (19-for-66) with 9 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. He was 4-for-5 with 1 RBI against Washington in the Coors Desert Classic on Feb. 27.
NATE KAUP: The junior third baseman/designated hitter has appeared in 13 games and is batting .358 (19-for-53) with 3 doubles, 2 home runs and 12 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. Batted .333 (8-for-24) in the Coors Desert Classic (Feb. 25-28). He was 2-for-4 with a HR and 2 RBI vs. UNR on Feb. 25; 2-for-6 with 2 RBI vs. No. 12 Clemso on Feb. 26; 3-for-5 vs. Creighton on Feb. 27. He has 6 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 17 games and is the team's leading hitter at .419 (26-for-62) with 2 home run and 18 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 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. Batted .556 (10-for-18) in the Coors Desert Classic (Feb. 25-28). He was 3-for-3 vs. Washington on Feb. 27 and 4-for-4 with a career-high 6 RBI vs. UNR on Feb. 28. He belted his second career grand slam to help lead UNLV to a 11-5 win over the Wolf Pack. He has recorded 7 straight hits over the last two games (school record for consecutive hits is 8 by Dan Murphy, David Baxter, James Martin and Gus Kennedy).
ANDY McCULLOCH: The junior right-hander has appeared in 4 games (3 starts) and has a 0-2 record in 20.2 innings pitched with a 6.10 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. He suffered his second loss of the season against UNR in the Coors Desert Classic on Feb. 25. He pitched 7 innings and allowed 7 runs and struck out 6.
RYAN OLSON: The freshman left-hander has appeared in 4 games and has a 1-1 record in 12.2 innings pitched. He pitched 3 scoreless innings in relief against No. 12 Clemson in the Coors Desert Classic (Feb. 26). He recorded his first collegiate win against UNR in the Desert Classic on Feb. 28. He pitched 4.1 innings of relief and allowed 1 run and struck out 6.
JESSE PRYOR: The junior outfielder has appeared in 14 games and is batting .294 (10-for-34) with 1 home run and 4 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). He was 2-for-4 with 1 RBI against UNR in the Coors Desert Classic (Feb. 28). Batting .545 (6-for-11) with 5 RBI in his career as a pinch-hitter.
ELIOTT SARABIA: The senior shortstop has appeared in 17 games and is batting .214 (12-for-56) with 9 RBI. Fielding .940 with 5 errors in 84 chances. Team leader with 5 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. He was 1-for-5 with 1 RBI against no. 12 Clemson in the Coors Desert Classic on Feb. 26. His RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning, led UNLV to a 12-11 victory.
BILL SCHEFFELS: The senior right-hander has appeared in 8 games and is 1-0 in 15.1 innings pitched. He has struck out 20. 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. He was the winning pitcher in UNLV's 12-11 victory in 10 innings against No. 12 Clemson in the Coors Desert Classic (Feb. 26). He pitched 2 innings and allowed 2 runs (1 earned). He pitched 1.1 scoreless inning against Creighton in the Desert Classic on Feb. 27.
DENNY SEYBERT: The junior outfielder has appeared in 12 games and is batting .250 (11-for-44) with 1 home run and 6 RBI. 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. He was 1-for-6 against No. 12 Clemson in the Coors Desert Classic on Feb. 26. His lone hit was a solo HR to tie the score at 9-9 in the bottom of the eighth inning. He was 2-for-5 with 3 RBI against Creighton in the Desert Classic on Feb. 27.
JIMMY SMITH: The senior right-hander has appeared in 6 games and has pitched in 4.2 innings. He pitched one scoreless inning against Lewis-Clark State on Feb. 17 and against No. 14 Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 20. He recorded the final two outs against UNR in the Coors Desert Classic on Feb. 28. He came in the game with the bases loaded and served up a double play ball to end the game in UNLV's 11-5 victory.
MATT STONER: The junior second baseman has appeared in 15 games and is batting .305 (18-for-59) with 1 home run and 7 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 was 2-for-5 with 1 RBI against UNR in the Coors Desert Classic on Feb. 28. He has 6 multiple-hit games.
