Jan. 31, 2000

Box Score

LAS VEGAS - Junior Luke Anderson allowed just two hits and struck out 11 batters Monday in his season debut, leading the UNLV baseball team to its first victory of the season, 3-1 over Saint Mary's.

UNLV (1-2) rallied around Anderson's performance after losing the first two games of the three-game series against the Gaels (3-3). Anderson, who struck out six of the first seven batters he faced, gave up no earned runs over seven and two-thirds innings.

The Rebels manufactured their first run of the game in the fourth inning. Following a leadoff walk, Garett Shitanishi laid down a perfect bunt single to advance John Cruz to second. Tony DeMarco then used a sacrifice bunt to put runners at second and third for cleanup hitter Trent Kitsch. Kitsch grounded out to the shortstop, but not before driving in Cruz for the game's first run.

Kitsch earned his second RBI in the sixth after a walk and stolen base by Shitanishi. Two batters later, Kitsch came around to score on a long double by catcher Harold Betts and increase the Rebel lead to 3-0.

Saint Mary's picked up an unearned run in the eighth. Pinch hitter Tony Graziani hit a two-out double and scored on an errant throw by Rebel shortstop Zach Strong.

The Rebels will enjoy three days of rest before suiting up again on Friday, Feb. 4 to host Southern Utah in the first game of a two-game series. That game will begin at 3:05 p.m. at Wilson Stadium.