Jan. 29, 2000

Box Score

LAS VEGAS - Saint Mary's College scored four runs in the seventh inning Saturday to overcome a 5-3 deficit and defeat the UNLV baseball team, 8-5, in the Rebels' season opener.

UNLV (0-1) jumped out to an early lead behind Tony DeMarco's two-run homer in the first.

The game progressed quietly until the top of the fifth when Tony Graziani and Kaazim Summerville hit back-to-back doubles for Saint Mary's (2-2) to break up Rebel starting pitcher Ryan Olson's shutout.

The lead changed hands again in the sixth. UNLV's Garett Shitanishi led the inning off with a double. DeMarco then batted in his third run of the day with a single and later scored on a wild pitch.

The Rebels carried a 5-3 lead into the seventh inning, but a pair of leadoff walks and a two-RBI single by Brett Wayne closed the gap. A costly throwing error by UNLV shortstop Zach Strong allowed Saint Mary's to take the lead. The Gaels added another unearned run, the third of the inning, to lead 7-5.

Saint Mary's Tim Spooner closed the afternoon's scoring with a leadoff home run in the eighth.

Chris Bye was nearly perfect in relief, striking out five straight Rebels over the last two innings to pick up the save.

The two teams will meet at 12:00 noon Sunday for the second game of a three-game series.