Feb. 1, 2002

LAS VEGAS - UNLV's baseball team dropped its season opener to the Cal Golden Bears 2-0 on Friday night at Earl E. Wilson Stadium. It was the season opener for both clubs.

Sophomore Robbie Van pitched four solid innings, giving up only one run on three hits with five strikeouts. Lack of run support credits him with the loss.

Sophomore Doug Thornton pitched a stellar 3.2 innings in relief. He struck out six batters, giving up only one run on one hit.

Trevor Hutchinson and Matt Brown proved to be an imposing duo on the mound for Cal. Hutchinson gave up only three hits in seven innings with 11 strikeouts for the win. Brown earned the save in two innings of work. He struck out four without giving up a hit.

Eric Nielsen, Steve Goldberg and James Nepa each finished with a single hit for the Rebels.

Conor Jackson led the Bears, going 2-for-3 with one RBI. Sophomore James Holder hit a solo home run in the second inning, the first of his career.

The Rebels play the second of the three-game series on Saturday at 2 p.m.