March 9, 2001

LAS VEGAS - UNLV poured on 15 runs in the middle innings en route to a 20-6 victory over Air Force to begin conference play for both teams. The win improves UNLV to 9-11 for the season. Air Force falls to 13-8.

UNLV scored twenty runs on twenty-two hits. Both are season highs for the Rebels.

Jared Bonnell (2-1) pitched 3.2 innings for the Rebels to earn his second win of the season. He struck out four and did not allow a hit or a walk. Robbie Van started on the mound for UNLV. He pitched 4.1 innings, giving up six runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts.

Air Force's Michael Tufte (4-2) picked up the loss. He pitched four innings, giving up ten runs on eleven hits.

UNLV's Jason Reuss and Brad Beasley each finished with four hits in the game. Reuss went 4-for-5 with four RBIs and four runs scored. Beasley went 4-for-5 with three RBIs and three runs scored.

Ryan Ruiz finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Garett Shitanishi, David Trujillo and Tony Schuler managed two hits each.

Brian Labasco, who finished the game 2-for-4 with one RBI, led the Falcons.

UNLV and Air Force continue the three game series on Saturday at 1:05 p.m.