3/21/2000 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 21, 2000
LAS VEGAS - The UNLV baseball team will host New Mexico this weekend in a Mountain West Conference three-game series at Earl E. Wilson Stadium at Roger Barnson Field (3,000). The following is UNLV's schedule over the next two weeks.
THIS WEEK
Friday, March 24**New Mexico at UNLV, 7:05 p.m., Earl E. Wilson Stadium (3,000)
Saturday, March 25
**New Mexico at UNLV, 1:05 p.m., Earl E. Wilson Stadium*
Sunday, March 26
**New Mexico at UNLV, 1:05 p.m., Earl E. Wilson Stadium*
NEXT WEEK
Friday, March 31**UNLV at Air Force Academy, 1 p.m. (MST), Falcon Field (1,000)
Saturday, April 1
**UNLV at Air Force Academy, 1 p.m. (MST), Falcon Field*
Sunday, April 2
**UNLV at Air Force Academy, Noon (MST), Falcon Field* - tape delay at 4 p.m. (PST)
*KSHP AM-1400 Radio
**Mountain West Conference game
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. 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 7-21 overall and 0-6 in the Mountain West Conference. UNLV lost three out of four games on its four games in five days stretch through the state of Utah. UNLV defeated Southern Utah, 11-4, in a non-conference game on March 15. UNLV then lost three straight games against Utah in MWC play in Salt Lake City last weekend (March 17-19). Utah won 5-2, 10-9 and 11-5, in a game called in the seventh inning due to inclement weather. New Mexico is 15-12 overall and 4-1 in the Mountain West Conference. The Lobos defeated San Diego State two out of three games last weekend in Albuquerque (March 17-19). San Diego State won 24-21, the game on Saturday was postponed due to high winds, and New Mexico swept a double-header by the scores of 21-20 and 9-3. Air Force is 14-11 overall and 1-4 in the Mountain West Conference. The Falcons lost two out of three games against BYU last weekend in Provo. The scores were: BYU 9-1, Air Force 6-2, BYU 4-3. Air Force will travel to San Diego State this weekend (March 24-26) for a MWC three-game series. The Falcons will play at UC San Diego (March 28) and UC Riverside (March 29).
THE SERIES: UNLV leads the series against New Mexico 43-21. New Mexico defeated UNLV two out of three games last season in Albuquerque in WAC play. UNLV won 8-4 and New Mexico won 15-9 and 17-14. UNLV leads the series against Air Force 23-7. UNLV swept a three game series last season against Air Force at Wilson Stadium in WAC play. The scores were: 13-1, 15-3, 15-3.
MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE STANDINGS:
| BYU | 5-1 | -- |
| New Mexico | 4-1 | 1/2 |
| Utah | 4-2 | 1 |
| San Diego State | 3-3 | 2 |
| Air Force | 1-4 | 4 1/2 |
| UNLV | 0-6 | 5 |
UNLV HEAD COACH ROD SOESBE: He is in his 16th season at UNLV and his fourth as head coach. His career record is 89-110 (.447). 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: Rich Alday is in his 11th season at New Mexico and his record is 303-289-2 (.512) and career record over 28 seasons is 799-509-2 (.611). Reed Peters is in his first season at Air Force and his record is 14-11 (.560). The former UNLV great played three seasons (1985-87) and appeared in 173 career games and batted .314 with 36 home runs. As a sophomore (1986), he was selected as a GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-America honorable mention. As a junior (1987), he hit a career-high 18 home runs.
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 then-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.
RANKED OPPONENTS: UNLV has played three ranked opponents thus far in 2000: vs. No. 3 UCLA (Feb. 11-13), at Cal State Fullerton (Feb. 18-20), at Clemson (March 3-5). UNLV is 2-7 vs. ranked opponents (1-2 vs. UCLA, 0-3 vs. Cal State Fullerton, vs. 1-2 vs. Clemson).
UNLV PLAYER-BY-PLAYER NOTES
LUKE ANDERSON: The junior right-hander has appeared in 8 games (started 6) and has a 3-3 record with a 7.36 ERA. Has pitched in 36.2 innings, allowed 54 hits, 32 runs, walked 12 and has struck out 33. 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. He defeated Michigan State 10-4 in the Coors Desert Classic on Feb. 26. Pitched 5.2 innings, allowed 11 hits, 4 runs, walked 3 and struck out 6. He pitched 1.2 innings in relief against BYU on March 10. He allowed 4 hits and 1 run. He recorded his third victory of the season against Southern Utah on March 15. He pitched 5 innings, allowed 7 hits, 3 runs, walked 1 and struck out 5 (UNLV W 11-4).
BRAD BEASLEY: The junior catcher/designated hitter has appeared in 15 games and is batting .211 (8-for-38) with 1 home run and 5 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. He was 1-for-5 with 1 RBI against Michigan State in the Coors Desert Classic on Feb. 26. He was 1-for-2 with 1 RBI (sacrifice fly) against No. 8 Clemson on March 4. He was 1-for-5 against Southern Utah on March 15.
HAROLD BETTS: The senior catcher has appeared in 23 games and is batting .260 (20-for-77) with 7 doubles, 2 home runs and 9 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. He was 1-for-4 with 2 RBI against Santa Clara in the Coors Desert Classic on Feb. 24 and 1-for-3 against UNR on Feb. 25. He was 2-for-4 against Oregon State in the Coors Desert Classic on Feb. 26. He was 2-for-4 with a triple against No. 8 Clemson on March 3. He was 1-for-4 with a double against BYU on March 10. He was 2-for-4 with a double and 1 RBI against Southern Utah on March 15. He was 1-for-5 with a double against Utah on March 18. He is fielding 1.000 in 102 chances.
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 all 28 games and is batting .233 (21-for-90) with 13 runs scored and is the team-leader with 6-for-8 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. He was 3-for-5 with 1 RBI against Santa Clara in the Coors Desert Classic on Feb. 24 and 1-for-3 against West Virginia on Feb. 27. He was 2-for-4 with 1 RBI against BYU on March 11. He was 2-for-5 with 1 RBI against Southern Utah on March 15. He batted .375 (3-for-8) in the Utah series (March 17-19). He has a 5-game hitting streak and batting .412 (7-for-17) over that stretch.
TONY DeMARCO: The senior first baseman/designated hitter has appeared in all 28 games and is batting .342 (40-for-117). Tied for the team lead with 10 doubles. Team-leader with 24 runs scored, 5 home runs and 31 RBI. 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. Batted .455 (10-for-22) with 9 RBI in the Coors Desert Classic (Feb. 24-27). He was 5-for-5 (for second time this season) with 3 RBI against Santa Clara (Feb. 24), 2-for-4 with 2 RBI against Michigan State (Feb. 26), 2-for-4 with 2 RBI against Oregon State (Feb. 26). He was 1-for-4 against No. 8 Clemson on March 4. Batted .417 (5-for-12) in the BYU series (March 9-11). He was 3-for-4 against BYU on March 9 and 2-for-4 with 2 runs scored on March 11. He batted .583 (7-for-12) in the Utah series (March 17-19). He was 3-for-4 with two solo home runs on March 17, 2-for-4 with 2 RBI on March 18, 2-for-4 with 1 RBI on March 19. He has a 5-game hitting streak and batting .455 (10-for-22) over that stretch. Has compiled 59 multiple-hit games (12 this season), which includes: 35 two-hit games, 16 three-hit games, 4 four-hit games, 4 five-hit games. Has appeared in 124 career games and is batting .372 (192-for-516), which ranks fourth in UNLV history.
JUSTIN FAIRBANKS: The senior right-hander has appeared in 5 games (started 5) and has a 0-3 record with a 4.71 earned run average. Pitched 21 innings, allowed 26 hits, 18 runs (11 earned) and has struck out 11. He made his first appearance of the season against Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 20. He pitched 2 innings and allowed 2 runs. His second start came against Oregon State in the Coors Desert Classic on Feb. 26. He pitched 5 solid innings and allowed 1 run in a no decision. He pitched 5 innings against Clemson on March 4. He lost 5-3 and allowed 3 hits, 3 runs (1 earned), walked 2 and struck out 4. He had another no decision against BYU on March 11. He pitched 5 innings, allowed 7 hits and 6 runs (2 earned). He suffered the loss at Utah on March 19. He pitched 4 innings, allowed 6 hits, 6 runs (5 earned), walked 1 and struck out 1.
MICHAEL FORD: The junior outfielder has appeared in 13 games and is batting .321 (9-for-28). 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. He was 1-for-1 as a pinch-hitter against UNR in the Coors Desert Classic on Feb. 25. He was 1-for-4 with 1 RBI against No. 8 Clemson on March 4. He batted .600 (3-for-5) in the BYU series (March 9-11). He was 2-for-4 with 2 runs scored on March 11. He was 1-for-3 with 2 runs scored against Utah on March 18.
CHAD HARRIS: The sophomore left-hander has appeared in 7 games and has a 0-1 record with a 7.36 ERA. Has pitched 7.1 innings, allowed 10 hits and 8 runs. 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. He suffered his first defeat against West Virginia in the Coors Desert Classic on Feb. 27. He pitched 3.1 innings, allowed 7 hits and 5 runs (3 earned).
NATE KAUP: The senior outfielder has appeared in 27 games and is the team's second-leading hitter with a .368 average (35-for-95). Third on the team with 8 doubles with 3 home runs and has 19 RBI. 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. He was 1-for- 3 against UNR in the Coors Desert Classic on Feb. 25. He was 2-for-4 against BYU on March 10 and drove in two runs against the Cougars (FC, groundout) on March 11. He was 3-for-5 with a home run and 2 RBI against Southern Utah on March 15. He batted .500 (4-for-8) in the Utah series (March 17-19). He had two 2-for-4 games (March 17-18) and three straight multiple-hit games. Has hit safely in 18 of 27 games. Batting .538 (7-for-13) over his last three games.
TRENT KITSCH: The junior first baseman/designated hitter has appeared in 27 games and is batting .291 (25-for-86) with 4 doubles, 4 home runs (second on team) and 14 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. Batted .476 (10-for-21) in the Coors DesertClassic (Feb. 24-27). He was 4-for-5 with 4 runs scored against Santa Clara (Feb. 24), 2-for-4 against UNR (Feb. 25), 2-for-4 with 2 RBI against Michigan State (Feb. 26). He was 1-for-4 against No. 8 Clemson on March 4. He hit a pinch-hit solo home run against Southern Utah on March 15. Has hit safely in 13 of 27 games and has 10 multiple-hit games.
BRAD MALOFF: The junior shortstop/third baseman has appeared in 20 games and is batting .299 (20-for-68) with 4 doubles. Recorded a solid defensive game in his UNLV debut at third base 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. He was 2-for-5 against Santa Clara in the Coors Desert Classic on Feb. 24, 2-for-5 with 2 runs scored against Michigan State (Feb. 26), 2-for-4 with 2 RBI against West Virginia (Feb. 27). He was 1-for-4 against No. 8 Clemson on March 3. He was 1-for-3 against BYU on March 10 and 1-for-2 against BYU on March 11. He was 3-for-4 with his first home run and 2 RBI against Southern Utah on March 15. He was 2-for-5 with a season-high 4 RBI against Utah on March 18. Batting .471 (8-for-17) over his last six games.
ADAM MANLEY: The junior outfielder has appeared in 24 games and is batting .326 (28-for-86) with 10 doubles (tied for team lead) and 22 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. Batted .462 (6-for-13) with 5 RBI in the Coors Desert Classic (Feb. 24-27). He was 3-for-4 with 2 RBI against Michigan State on Feb. 26 and 1-for-2 with his first home run of the season against West Virginia on Feb. 27. Batted .400 (4-for-10) in the Clemson series (March 3-5). He was 2-for-4 in the first two games of the series against the eighth-ranked Tigers (March 3-4). He was 2-for-4 with 2 RBI against BYU on March 10. He was 1-for-3 with a home run against Southern Utah on March 15. He was 2-for-5 against Utah on March 18 and 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and 3 RBI against the Utes on March 19. Has hit safely in 18 of 24 games.
C.J. MARTIN: The junior right-hander has appeared in 14 games (leads staff) and has a 0-2 record with a 5.13 ERA. Has pitched 26.1 innings, allowed 29 hits, 18 runs and has struck out 11. 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. He pitched 2.1 scoreless innings and retired all 7 batters against Michigan State in UNLV's 10-4 victory in the Coors Desert Classic on Feb. 26. Pitched 3 innings against No. 8 Clemson on March 4. Allowed 3 hits and 2 runs (1 earned) in Clemson's 5-3 victory. He had two appearances against BYU on March 9 and 11. Pitched a total of 3.2 innings and allowed 4 runs. Pitched 2.2 innings and allowed 3 hits and 1 run against Southern Utah on March 15.
JOE MARUFFI: The sophomore right-hander has appeared in 8 games (7 started) and has a 2-3 record with a 6.63 ERA. Has pitched 36.2 innings, allowed 46 hits, 31 runs and has struck out 19. 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. He defeated Santa Clara 12-6 in the Coors Desert Classic on Feb. 24. He pitched 6 innings, allowed 6 hits, 3 runs, walked 4 and struck out 5. He had another solid outing against No. 8 Clemson on March 3. He pitched 6 innings, allowed 8 hits, 4 runs, walked 2 and struck out 2. Suffered the loss, 8-0, to Clemson. He suffered the loss against BYU on March 9. He pitched 3.1 innings, allowed 6 hits, 6 runs (4 earned), walked 1 and struck out 1. He had a no decision against Utah on March 18. Pitched 6.1 innings, allowed 7 hits, 5 runs, no walks and struck out 5 (Utah W 9-8)
ANDY McCULLOCH: The senior right-hander has appeared in 11 games (second on staff) and has a 1-2 record with 1 save and a team-leading 2.35 ERA. Has pitched 15.1 innings, allowed 15 hits, 7 runs, walked 10 and struck out 10. 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. Pitched 1 inning and allowed 2 hits and 1 run in UNLV's 4-3 loss to Oregon State in the Coors Desert Classic on Feb. 26. He pitched 1.2 scoreless innings against West Virginia on Feb. 27. He recorded his first victory of the season against No. 8 Clemson (UNLV W 4-3) on March 5. He pitched 2.1 scoreless innings and didn't allow a hit and struck out 2. He had two appearances against BYU on March 10-11. He pitched a total of 3.2 scoreless innings. He pitched 1 scoreless inning against Southern Utah on March 15. He suffered the loss against Utah on March 18. He pitched 1.1 innings, allowed 3 hits and 5 runs (2 earned, Utah W 9-8).
CODY OKUDA: The senior second baseman has appeared in 17 games and is batting .350 (14-for-40) and is 3-for-3 in stolen bases. He was 2-for-4 in his first start of the season against Michigan State in the Coors Desert Classic on Feb. 26. He was 1-for-3 against Oregon State on Feb. 26 and 2-for-4 against West Virginia on Feb. 27. Batted .333 (2-for-6) in the Clemson series (March 3-5). He was 1-for-3 in the first two games against the eighth-ranked Tigers. He was 1-for-2 with a two-run single against BYU on March 11. He was 2-for-4 against Southern Utah on March 15. He batted .375 (3-for-8) in the Utah series (March 17-19). He was 2-for-3 with 2 runs scored against the Utes on March 19. Batting .368 (7-for-19) over his last six games.
RYAN OLSON: The sophomore left-hander has appeared in 4 games and has a 1-0 record with a 8.40 ERA. Has pitched in 15 innings, allowed 23 hits, 16 runs (14 earned), walked 5 and struck out 12. 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. He made his first appearance since Feb. 4 against BYU on March 11. He pitched 1.1 innings, allowed 4 hits and 2 runs. He pitched 2 innings in relief against Utah on March 19. He allowed 6 hits and 5 runs.
GIOVANNI PUPO: The freshman left-hander has appeared in 9 games (6 started) and has a 0-5 record with a 6.42 ERA. Has pitched 47.2 innings (leads staff), allowed 67 hits, 40 runs and struck out 28. 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. He suffered the loss (5-0) against UNR in the Coors Desert Classic on Feb. 25. He had a good outing and pitched 8 innings, allowed 7 hits, 5 runs (2 earned), walked 4 and struck out 2. He had a no decision against No. 8 Clemson on March 5. He pitched 6.2 solid innings and allowed 8 hits, 3 runs, walked 1 and struck out 3. UNLV rallied for two runs in the eighth and defeated Clemson 4-3. He recorded another good outing against BYU on March 10. He pitched 5.1 innings, allowed 10 hits, 4 runs and struck out 3 (L 5-3). He recorded the first complete game of the season for UNLV against Utah on March 17. He pitched 8 innings, allowed 8 hits, 5 runs, walked 1 and struck out 4 (Utah W 5-2).
DENNY SEYBERT: The senior outfielder has appeared in 17 games and is the team's leading hitter with a .395 average (17-for-43). He was 1-for-1 with 2 RBI against Saint Mary's on Jan. 30. He was 3-for-5 against West Virginia in the Coors Desert Classic on Feb. 27. He was 2-for-5 against No. 8 Clemson on March 5. He batted .462 (6-for-13) in the BYU series (March 9-11). He was 3-for-4 with 2 runs scored on March 10 and 3-for-5 with 2 runs scored on March 11. He was 1-for-4 with 1 run scored and 1 RBI against Southern Utah on March 15. He was 1-for-3 with 1 run scored against Utah on March 18. Has hit safely in 10 of 17 games.
GARETT SHITANISHI: The freshman second baseman has appeared in 22 games and is batting .191 (13-for-68) with 12 runs scored and is 2-for-5 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. He was 1-for-5 in the leadoff spot against No. 8 Clemson on March 5.
ZACH STRONG: The freshman shortstop/third baseman has appeared in 23 games and is batting .272 (22-for-81) with 10 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 batted .421 (8-for-19) in the Coors Desert Classic (Feb. 24-27). He was 4-for-4 with 3 RBI against Santa Clara (Feb. 24), 2-for-3 with 2 RBI and his first collegiate home run, a two-run shot, (to give UNLV a 5-4 lead) against Michigan State on Feb. 26. He was 1-for-4 with 1 RBI against No. 8 Clemson on March 5. He was 1-for-2 against BYU on March 9. He made his first start of the season at third base against Utah on March 19. He has hit safely in 14 of 23 games.
