March 6, 2000

WHEN/WHERE: The UNLV baseball team will host BYU in the inaugural Mountain West Conference 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:
Thursday, March 9 - **BYU at UNLV, 3:05 p.m., Earl E. Wilson Stadium
Friday, March 10 - **BYU at UNLV, 3:05 p.m., Earl E. Wilson Stadium
Saturday, March 11 - **BYU at UNLV, 1:05 p.m., Earl E. Wilson Stadium* (tape delay at 3 p.m.)

NEXT WEEK:
Wednesday, March 15 - UNLV at Southern Utah, 3:05 p.m (MST), St. George, Utah
Friday, March 17 - **UNLV at Utah, 2 p.m. (MST), Franklin Covey Field (12,000)
Saturday, March 18 - **UNLV at Utah, 1 p.m. (MST), Franklin Covey Field*
Sunday, March 19 - **UNLV at Utah, 1 p.m. (MST), Franklin Covey Field*

*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 6-15 on the season. UNLV lost two of three games last weekend (March 3-5) at No. 8 Clemson. The Tigers won 8-0 and 5-3, and UNLV won the series finale, 4-3. BYU is 9-10 overall this season. The Cougars played four games last weekend at Southern Utah in Cedar City. The scores were: SUU 5-1, BYU 13-3, SUU 9-8, BYU 19-13.

THE SERIES: UNLV leads the series against BYU 41-35. BYU defeated UNLV two out of three games last season at Wilson Stadium. BYU won 12-11 and 6-2 and UNLV won the series finale, 27-5. UNLV leads the series against Southern Utah 72-14. UNLV and Southern Utah split two games at Wilson Stadium on Feb. 4-5. UNLV won 19-5 and lost 11-7. UNLV leads the series against Utah 48-18. UNLV lost two out of three games last year in Salt Lake City in WAC play. Utah won 4-3, UNLV won 13-9, and Utah won 9-8 in 10 innings.

UNLV HEAD COACH ROD SOESBE: He is in his 16th season at UNLV and his fourth as head coach. His career record is 88-104 (.458). 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: Vance Law is in his first season at BYU and his record is 9-10 (.474). Tim Esmay is in his fourth season at Utah and his record is 81-82-1 (.497).

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.

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 6 games (started 5) and has a 2-3 record with a 7.80 ERA. Has pitched in 30 innings, allowed 43 hits and has struck out 28. 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.

BRAD BEASLEY: The junior catcher/designated hitter has appeared in 10 games and is batting .318 (7-for-22) 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.

HAROLD BETTS: The senior catcher has appeared in 17 games and is batting .259 (15-for-58) with 4 doubles, 2 home runs and 8 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.

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 21 games and is batting .203 (14-for-69) with 11 runs scored and is the team-leader with 6-for-7 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. Has hit safely in 9 of 21 games.

TONY DeMARCO: The senior first baseman/designated hitter has appeared in 21 games and is batting .310 (27-for-87). Tied for the team lead with 8 doubles and 16 runs scored. Team leader with 3 home runs and 25 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. Has compiled 54 multiple-hit games, which includes: 32 two-hit games, 14 three-hit games, 4 four-hit games, 4 five-hit games. Has appeared in 117 career games and is batting .368 (179-for-486), which ranks fourth in UNLV history.

MICHAEL FORD: The junior outfielder has appeared in 9 games and is batting .263 (5-for-19). 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.

CHAD HARRIS: The sophomore left-hander has appeared in 6 games and has a 0-1 record with a 7.71 ERA. Has pitched 7 innings, allowed 9 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 21 games and is the team's leading hitter with a .366 average (26-for-71). Second on the team with 7 doubles and has 13 RBI. Also has 2 home runs and 10 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. He was 1-for- 3 against UNR in the Coors Desert Classic on Feb. 25. Has hit safely in 14 of 21 games.

TRENT KITSCH: The junior first baseman/designated hitter has appeared in 21 games and is batting .320 (24-for-75) with 4 doubles, 3 home runs and 13 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 Desert Classic (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. Has hit safely in 12 of 21 games and has 10 multiple-hit games.

BRAD MALOFF: The junior third baseman has appeared in 13 games and is batting .250 (12-for-48) with 3 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. 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.

ADAM MANLEY: The junior outfielder has appeared in 17 games and is batting .345 (20-for-58) with 8 doubles (tied for team lead) and 15 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). Has hit safely in 13 of 17 games.

C.J. MARTIN: The junior right-hander has appeared in 10 games (leads staff) and has a 0-1 record with a 4.58 ERA. Has pitched 19.2 innings, allowed 18 hits, 13 runs and has struck out 9. 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.

JOE MARUFFI: The sophomore right-hander has appeared in 6 games (5 started) and has a 2-2 record with a 6.00 ERA. Has pitched 27 innings, allowed 33 hits, 20 runs and has struck out 13. He suffered the loss against Saint Mary's on Jan. 30. He allowed 8runs 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.

ANDY McCULLOCH: The senior right-hander has appeared in 7 games and has a 1-1 record with 1 save and a team-leading 1.93 ERA. Has pitched 9.1 innings, allowed 11 hits, 2 runs and struck out 6. 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.

CODY OKUDA: The senior second baseman has appeared in 10 games and is batting .350 (7-for-20) and is 2-for-2 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.

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 7 games (4 started) and has a 0-3 record with a 6.55 ERA. Has pitched 34.1 innings (leads staff), allowed 49 hits, 31 runs and struck out 21. 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 struckout 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.

GARETT SHITANISHI: The freshman second baseman has appeared in 17 games and is batting .213 (13-for-61) 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 has appeared in 21 games and is batting .273 (21-for-77) 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 has hit safely in 13 of 21 games.