UNLV Baseball Hosts 20th Coors Desert Classic
2/23/2000 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 23, 2000
LAS VEGAS - The UNLV baseball team will host the 20th annual UNLV/Coors Desert Classic on Thursday-Sunday, Feb. 24-27. The following is UNLV's schedule over the next two weeks.
THIS WEEK:
20th Annual UNLV/Coors Desert Classic (Thursday-Sunday, Feb. 24-27 at Earl E. Wilson Stadium, 3,000, and Burkholder Field in Henderson, Nev.
PARTICIPATING TEAMS: UNLV, Cal State Northridge, Michigan State, Nevada, Reno, Oregon State, Santa Clara, West Virginia
Thursday, February 24 at Wilson Stadium
10:00 a.m. - Oregon State (V) vs. West Virginia (H)
1:30 p.m. - Oregon State (V) vs. Nevada, Reno (H)
5:00 p.m. - Santa Clara (V) vs. UNLV (H)
At Burkholder Field
11:00 a.m. - Michigan State (V) vs. Cal State Northridge (H)
Friday, February 25 at Wilson Stadium
10:00 a.m. - West Virginia (V) vs. Michigan State (H)
1:30 p.m. - West Virginia (V) vs. Cal State Northridge (H)
5:00 p.m. - Nevada, Reno (V) vs. UNLV (H)
At Burkholder Field
11:00 a.m. - Santa Clara (V) vs. Oregon State (H)
Saturday, February 26 at Wilson Stadium
10:00 a.m. - Cal State Northridge (V) vs. Santa Clara (H)
1:30 p.m. - UNLV (V) vs. Michigan State (H)*
5:00 p.m. - UNLV (V) vs. Oregon State (H)
At Burkholder Field
11:00 a.m. - Nevada, Reno (V) vs. West Virginia (H)
Sunday, February 27 at Wilson Stadium
10:00 a.m. - Michigan State (V) vs. Nevada, Reno (H)
1:30 p.m. - West Virginia (V) vs. UNLV (H)*
5:00 p.m. - Santa Clara (V) vs. Michigan State (H)
At Burkholder Field
11:00 a.m. - Cal State Northridge (V) vs. Santa Clara (H)
2:30 p.m. - Cal State Northridge (V) vs. Oregon State (H)
Burkholder Field directions: Burkholder is a city park in Henderson. Proceeed on Lake Mead Blvd. and take a right on Van Wagenen...another right on Victory Road...take a left on Buchanan Road.
NOTE: The UNLV/Coors Desert Classic Champion will be determined by the best overall record.
TIE BREAKERS TO DETERMINE DESERT CLASSIC CHAMPION: If teams are tied with the same record after 5 games played, the CHAMPION will be declared by the following tie breakers:
1.) Head-to-Head competition
2.) Most Runs Scored
3.) Fewest Runs Allowed
4.) Fewest Hits Allowed
PAST CHAMPIONS - COORS DESERT CLASSIC
| 1979 Oklahoma State | 1989 UNLV | 1999 Clemson |
| 1980 Cal State Northridge | 1990 Illinois | |
| 1982 San Diego State | 1991 Clemson | |
| 1983 UNLV | 1992 Northwestern | |
| 1984 San Diego State | 1993 Wyoming | |
| 1985 Washington State | 1994 UNLV | |
| 1986 Washington State | 1995 UNLV | |
| 1987 Oklahoma | 1997 Cal State Northridge | |
| 1988 Oklahoma | 1998 Ohio State |
NEXT WEEK:
Friday, March 3 - UNLV at Clemson, 3 p.m. (EST)
Saturday, March 4 - UNLV at Clemson, 2 p.m. (EST)
Sunday, March 5 - UNLV at Clemson, 1 p.m. (EST)
Games played at Tiger Field (5,000) in Clemson, S.C.
*KSHP AM-1400 Radio
RADIO: The radio home for UNLV baseball in 2000 will be KSHP AM-1400. Scott Robbs returns for his third season and will call the action all season long. Robbs will be joined in the booth by former Rebel pitcher Nate Yeskie. The pregame show begins five minutes prior to the first pitch. A total of 25 games will be broadcast during the season which will consist of Saturday and Sunday games. WEBSITE BROADCAST INFORMATION: UNLV baseball can also be heard on the internet. To access the broadcast, click on UNLV's official website at www.unlvrebels.com
THE TEAMS: UNLV is 3-10 on the season. UNLV has lost its last seven games. The Rebels lost three games last weekend at No. 5 Cal State Fullerton (2-1 in 10 innings, 7-3, 19-0). The game against No. 9 USC was rained out on Feb. 21. Cal State Northridge is 4-6 on the season. Michigan State will open the season in Las Vegas. The Spartans were 28-25 overall last season. Nevada, Reno is 8-5 on the season. The Wolf Pack defeated Washington 12-7 (Feb. 18) and Northern Iowa 29-1 (Feb. 19). Oregon State is 1-5 on the season. The Beavers lost three games last weekend at Fresno State (4-1, 9-4, 8-0). Santa Clara is 3-8 on the season. West Virginia is 0-3 on the season. The Mountaineers lost to The Citadel 7-5 (Feb. 18), Richmond 7-1 (Feb. 19), Virginia Tech 12-2 (Feb. 20).
THE SERIES: UNLV leads the series against Cal State Northridge 17-12. UNLV and Cal State Northridge split two games last season at the Texas A&M Aggie Classic. CSN won 5-3 and UNLV won 12-1. UNLV leads the series against Michigan State 3-1. UNLV defeated Michigan State twice during the 1997 season at Wilson Stadium (7-6, 12-5). UNLV leads the series against UNR 55-31. UNR defeated UNLV two out of three games last season. UNR won 9-5 and UNLV won 11-5 in the Coors Desert Classic. UNR then won 12-10 in Reno later in the year (April 27). UNLV leads the series against Oregon State 4-0. UNLV defeated OSU 9-6 in the last meeting in the 1992 season. Santa Clara leads the series against UNLV 17-5. UNLV defeated Santa Clara 13-8 in 11 innings in the last meeting during the 1984 season in Santa Clara, Calif. UNLV and West Virginia have never met.
UNLV HEAD COACH ROD SOESBE: He is in his 16th season at UNLV and his fourth as head coach. His career record is 85-99 (.462). 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. In the summer of 1999, he had the distinction of serving as an assistant coach of the USA Baseball National Team under Texas A&M head coach Mark Johnson. 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: Mike Batesole is in his fifth season at Cal State Northridge and his record is 158-86-1. Ted Mahan is in his fifth season at Michigan State and his record is 93-111. Gary Powers is in his 18th season at UNR and his record is 522-386-4. Pat Casey is in his sixth season at Oregon State and his record is 149-101-4 and career record over 13 seasons is 320-214-5. Mike Cummins is in his third season at Santa Clara and his record is 47-62. Greg Van Zant is in his sixth season at West Virginia and his record is 153-121-1.
EARL E. WILSON BASEBALL STADIUM: UNLV baseball is in its seventh season playing in the 3,000-seat Earl E. Wilson Baseball Stadium at Roger Barnson Field (28th 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 2000 schedule features 56 games with 32 home games and 24 road games (1 game rained out at No. 9 USC). The Mountain West Conference will feature a six-team division format. The six schools which participate in baseball are Air Force, BYU, New Mexico, San Diego State, UNLV and Utah. The 30-game MWC schedule will be played with each team playing six games (home and home) against each conference opponent. The inaugural MWC Tournament will be held on Wednesday-Saturday, May 17-20, at Wilson Stadium. During the first season, the winner of the tournament WILL NOT receive an automatic NCAA Tournament bid. The 2000 schedule features five ranked teams in Collegiate Baseball's Preseason Top 40: No. 2 Cal State Fullerton, No. 4 UCLA, No. 11 Clemson (UNLV travels to Clemson on March 3-5), No. 15 USC, No. 33 UNR.
UNLV PLAYER-BY-PLAYER NOTES
LUKE ANDERSON: The junior right-hander has appeared in 4 games (started 4) and has a 1-3 record with a 7.25 ERA. Has pitched in 22.1 innings, allowed 27 hits and has struck out 22. He made his first collegiate start against Saint Mary's on Jan. 31. He had a strong outing and defeated the Gaels 3-1. He pitched 7.2 innings, allowed 2 hits, 1 run (0 earned), 1 walk and a career-high 11 strikeouts. He struck out six of the first seven batters and retired 13 straight batters from the third through the seventh innings. He was named the Mountain West Conference Pitcher of the Week (Feb. 1). He made his second start against Southern Utah on Feb. 5. He pitched 3.2 innings, allowed 7 hits, 7 runs (6 earned) and lost 11-7. He suffered his second loss of the season against No. 3 UCLA on Feb. 13. Pitched 5.1 innings, allowed 9 hits, 5 runs, walked 2 and struck out 3. He lost to No. 5 Cal State Fullerton 7-3 on Feb. 19. He pitched 5.2 innings, allowed 9 hits, 7 runs, walked 2 and struck out 5.
BRAD BEASLEY: The junior catcher/designated hitter has appeared in 7 games and is batting .357 (5-for-14) with 1 home run and 3 RBI. He was 2-for-4 with a double and 2 RBI against Southern Utah on Feb. 4. He hit a pinch-hit solo home run to right field against Southern Utah on Feb. 5. He was 1-for-3 against No. 3 UCLA on Feb. 12. He was 1-for-2 with 1 run scored against No. 5 Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 19.
CLAY BELDING: The junior third baseman/outfielder has appeared in 9 games and is batting .231 (6-for-26). He was 1-for-3 with 1 RBI against Saint Mary's on Jan. 30. He was 1-for-4 in his first start at third base against Southern Utah on Feb. 5. He was 2-for-6 with 2 stolen bases against No. 3 UCLA on Feb. 11 and 1-for-2 with 2 bases on balls against the Bruins on Feb. 13. He was 1-for-2 against No. 5 Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 20.
HAROLD BETTS: The senior catcher has appeared in 11 games and is batting .225 (9-for-40) with 2 doubles, 2 home runs and 6 RBI. He batted .455 (5-for-11) in the Southern Utah series (Feb. 4-5). He was 3-for-6 with 1 RBI on Feb. 4 and 2-for-5 on Feb. 5. He was 1-for-5 with a solo home run and 2 RBI against No. 3 UCLA on Feb. 11 and 2-for-4 with a two-run HR against the Bruins on Feb. 13.
JARED BONNELL: The freshman right-hander has appeared in 5 games and is 0-2 with a 5.06 ERA. Has pitched in 10.2 innings and has allowed 11 hits and 6 runs (3 earned). He suffered the loss against Saint Mary's in his first collegiate appearance on Jan. 29. Pitched 1.1 innings and allowed 4 runs (1 earned). He pitched a scoreless ninth inning against Southern Utah on Feb. 5. He had a good performance in his first collegiate start against Lewis-Clark State on Feb. 15. Pitched 5 innings, allowed 5 hits, 3 runs, walked 2 and struck out 2. He suffered the loss against the Warriors (LCS 10-1). He pitched 2.1 scoreless innings in relief against No. 5 Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 19.
JOHN CRUZ: The freshman outfielder has appeared in 13 games and is batting .225 (9-for-40) with 7 runs scored and is the team-leader with 4-for-5 in stolen bases. He was 2-for-5 in his first collegiate game against Saint Mary's on Jan. 29. He batted .429 (3-for-7) in the Southern Utah series (Feb. 4-5). He was 2-for-2 with 3 RBI against the T-Birds on Feb. 5. He was 1-for-5 with 1 stolen base against No. 3 UCLA on Feb. 11. He was 2-for-3 against Lewis-Clark State on Feb. 15. He was 1-for-4 with 1 run scored against No. 5 Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 18. Has hit safely in 6 of 13 games.
TONY DeMARCO: The senior first baseman/designated hitter has appeared in 13 games and is batting .296 (16-for-54). Team leader with 14 runs scored, 3 home runs and 15 RBI and second on the team with 6 doubles. He was 3-for-5 with a 2-run home run against Saint Mary's on Jan. 29. He was 3-for-5 with a solo home run and 2 RBI against Southern Utah on Feb. 4. He also scored a career-high 5 runs. Batted .615 (8-for-13) with 8 RBI in the UCLA series (Feb. 11-13). He was 5-for-5 with 5 runs scored, 3 doubles, a three-run HR and a career-high 8 RBI against No. 3 UCLA on Feb. 11. He was named the Mountain West Conference Player of the Week (Feb. 15). He was 1-for-2 with 2 RBI against Lewis-Clark State on Feb. 16. Has compiled 51 multiple-hit games, which includes: 30 two-hit games, 14 three-hit games, 4 four-hit games, 3 five-hit games. Has appeared in 109 career games and is batting .371 (168-for-453), which ranks fourth in UNLV history.
MICHAEL FORD: The junior outfielder has appeared in 4 games and is batting .333 (3-for-9). He was 2-for-3 against Saint Mary's on Jan. 31. He was out of action for three weeks with a broken right hand. Returned to action against No. 5 Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 19.
CHAD HARRIS: The sophomore left-hander has appeared in 4 games and has a 0-0 record with a 2.45 ERA. Has pitched 3.2 innings, allowed 2 hits, and 1 run. Pitched one scoreless inning each against Saint Mary's (Jan. 30) and Southern Utah (Feb. 4). He allowed 1 run in 1 inning against No. 3 UCLA on Feb. 12.
NATE KAUP: The senior outfielder has appeared in 13 games and is the team's leading hitter with a .442 average (23-for-52). Team leader with 7 doubles and second with 13 RBI. Also has 2 home runs and 9 runs scored. He batted .400 (4-for-10) in the Saint Mary's series (Jan. 29-31). He was 2-for-3 with 2 doubles on Jan. 29. Batted .667 (6-for-9) in the Southern Utah series (Feb. 4-5). He was a career-high 5-for-5 with 8 RBI against Southern Utah on Feb. 4. Had 2 doubles, a three-run first inning home run and 4 runs scored. Had a string of 7 consecutive hits (Jan. 31 - Feb. 5), which ranks second in UNLV history. Batted .467 (7-for-15) in the UCLA series (Feb. 11-13). He was 4-for-6 with a double, home run and 3 RBI (Feb. 11) and 3-for-5 (Feb. 13). Batted .455 (5-for-11) in the Cal State Fullerton series (Feb. 18-20). He was 3-for-4 against the fifth-ranked Titans on Feb. 18. Has hit safely in 11 of 13 games.
TRENT KITSCH: The junior first baseman/designated hitter has appeared in 13 games and is batting .295 (13-for-44) with 2 doubles, 2 home runs and 9 RBI. Batted .333 (4-for-12) in the Saint Mary's series (Jan. 29-31). He was 2-for-4 with 2 RBI in UNLV's 3-1 victory over Saint Mary's on Jan. 31. He was 2-for-4 with 2 runs scored against Southern Utah on Feb. 4. Batted .417 (5-for-12) in the UCLA series (Feb. 11-13). He was 2-for-5 with 2 home runs (a two-run and three-run HR) for 5 RBI against No. 3 UCLA on Feb. 11. He was 2-for-3 with 1 RBI against the Bruins on Feb. 12. He was 2-for-3 with 1 RBI against Lewis-Clark State on Feb. 16. Has hit safely in 7 of 13 games and has 6 multiple-hit games.
BRAD MALOFF: The junior third baseman has appeared in 5 games and is batting .294 (5-for-17) with 2 doubles. Played stellar defense in his UNLV debut against Lewis-Clark State on Feb. 15. Had 6 assists and was 0-for-1 with 3 bases on balls. He was 2-for-4 with 2 runs scored against the Warriors on Feb. 16. He batted .250 (3-for-12) in the Cal State Fullerton series and was 1-for-4 in each game.
ADAM MANLEY: The junior outfielder has appeared in 10 games and is batting .286 (10-for-35) with 9 RBI. He was 2-for-5 with 3 RBI against Southern Utah on Feb. 4. He was 1-for-4 with a RBI double against the T-Birds on Feb. 5. He was 2-for-4 with 4 runs scored and a double and RBI against No. 3 UCLA on Feb. 11. Batted .500 (3-for-6) in the Lewis-Clark State series (Feb. 15-16). He was 2-for-3 with 2 RBI on Feb. 16. He was 1-for-4 against No. 5 Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 18. Has hit safely in 7 of 10 games.
C.J. MARTIN: The junior right-hander has appeared in 7 games (leads staff) and has a 0-1 ecord with a 5.11 ERA. Has pitched 12.1 innings, allowed 13 hits, 9 runs and has struck out 7. He worked 3.1 scoreless innings and struck out 3 against Saint Mary's on Jan. 30. He pitched 1.1 innings and allowed 1 run against Southern Utah on Feb. 5. He pitched 2.2 innings in relief and allowed 1 run against No. 3 UCLA on Feb. 11. Appeared in 0.2 innings and allowed 1 run against the Bruins on Feb. 13. He suffered the defeat in UNLV's 2-1 loss in 10 innings against No. 5 Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 18. Pitched 3 innings and allowed 3 hits and 1 run.
JOE MARUFFI: The sophomore right-hander has appeared in 4 games (3 started) and has a 1-1 record. Has pitched 15 innings, allowed 19 hits, 13 runs and has struck out 6. He suffered the loss against Saint Mary's on Jan. 30. He allowed 8 runs in 0.1 innings. Had a strong relief outing against Southern Utah on Feb. 4. He pitched 2.1 scoreless innings and struck out 2 against Southern Utah on Feb. 4. He had one of his best performances of his career against No. 3 UCLA on Feb. 11. Pitched 6.1 innings, allowed 7 hits, 4 runs, walked 2 and struck out 2 to record his first victory of the season (UNLV W 21-5). He had a strong performance against No. 5 Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 18. He pitched 6 innings, allowed 2 hits, 1 run, walked 6 and struck out 2 in the no decision.
ANDY McCULLOCH: The senior right-hander has appeared in 4 games and has a 0-0 record with 1 save and a 2.08 ERA. Has pitched 4.1 innings, allowed 8 hits, 1 run and struck out 3. He recorded his first save (6th career) against Saint Mary's on Jan. 31. He pitched 1.1 scoreless innings and struck out 3 in UNLV's 3-1 victory. Pitched 2.1 scorless innings in relief against No. 3 UCLA on Feb. 13.
RYAN OLSON: The sophomore left-hander has appeared in 2 games and has a 1-0 record with a 5.40 ERA. Has pitched in 11.2 innings, allowed 13 hits, 9 runs (7 earned), 4 walks and 9 strikeouts. He had a no decision in his first start against Saint Mary's on Jan. 29. He pitched 6 innings, allowed 6 hits, 4 runs, walked 2 and struck out 6. He defeated Southern Utah 19-5 on Feb. 4 in his second start. He pitched 5.2 innings, allowed 7 hits, 5 runs (3 earned), walked 2 and struck out 3.
GIOVANNI PUPO: The freshman left-hander has appeared in 5 games (2 started) and has a 0-2 record with a 9.15 ERA. Has pitched 15.2 innings, allowed 22 hits, 12 runs (9 earned) and struck out 14. He worked 1.2 scoreless innings in his first collegiate appearance against Saint Mary's on Jan. 29. He pitched 2.1 innings against Southern Utah on Feb. 5. He allowed 2 hits, 1 run and struck out 2. He pitched well in his first collegiate start against No. 3 UCLA on Feb. 12. Pitched 5.2 innings, allowed 9 hits, 5 runs, walked 3 and struck out 4. He allowed only 1 run through five innings. UCLA broke open a 1-1 game with four runs in the sixth inning. He pitched 6 innings against Lewis-Clark State in his second start on Feb. 16. Allowed 8 hits, 6 runs (3 earned), walked 2 and struck out 4 in UNLV's 6-5 loss.
GARETT SHITANISHI: The freshman second baseman has appeared in 13 games and is batting .255 (12-for-47) with 12 runs scored and is 2-for-3 in stolen bases. Batted .500 (5-for-10) in the Saint Mary's series (Jan. 29-31). He was 3-for-5 with a double on Jan. 29 and 2-for-2 on Jan. 31. He was 1-for-3 with 3 runs scored against Southern Utah on Feb. 4. He was 4-for-6 with 5 runs scored against No. 3 UCLA on Feb. 11 in UNLV's 21-5 victory. He was 1-for-2 with 2 RBI against No. 5 Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 19. Has hit safely in 6 of 13 games.
ZACH STRONG: The freshman shortstop has appeared in 13 games and is batting .250 (12-for-48) with 4 RBI. He was 2-for-4 with 1 RBI against Saint Mary's on Jan. 30. Batted .300 (3-for-10) in the Southern Utah series (Feb. 4-5). He was 2-for-6 with 1 RBI on Feb. 4. He was 1-for-4 with 2 bases on balls against No. 3 UCLA on Feb. 11. He was 2-for-4 with 1 RBI against the Bruins on Feb. 13. He was 2-for-3 with 2 runs scored against No. 5 Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 19. He has hit safely in 8 of 13 games.
