Box Score (Michigan State)

Box Score (Oregon State)

LAS VEGAS - The UNLV baseball team split its two games in the Coors Desert Classic Saturday, winning its first game 10-4 against Michigan State and dropping the nightcap to Oregon State, 4-3.

The Rebels (5-12) were in position to lead all teams in the tournament standings with just two innings to play in the finale, but the Beavers (4-6) took advantage of reliever Andy McCulloch, who allowed the tying and winning runs to cross in the eighth inning.

UNLV took an early lead in the game on third-inning doubles by Brad Maloff and Tony DeMarco. DeMarco's hit drove in two and gave the Rebels a 3-0 edge.

OSU rebounded with a manufactured run in the fifth, collecting three hits off UNLV starter Justin Fairbanks. Fairbanks, in just his second start of the year, scattered six hits and allowed only the fifth-inning run.

C.J. Martin pitched solid in relief, retiring six straight before giving up a pair of singles in the eighth. McCulloch took over and gave up a 2-RBI double to Joe Gerber, who later came around to score the winning run.

UNLV looked impressive in its first game, rallying from a 4-1 deficit to score nine runs. Adam Manley led the offensive charge, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI. Freshman shortstop Zach Strong hit his first home run of the season, drive in two and went 2-for-3 at the plate.

Starter Luke Anderson allowed all four Spartan runs and picked up his second victory of the year after 5.2 innings of effort. Martin and freshman Matt Rebout held off MSU for the last three innings to preserve the win.

The Rebels are 2-2 in tournament play and will play their last game against West Virginia at 1:30 p.m. at Wilson Stadium.