Feb. 22, 2002

LAS VEGAS - The Rebel baseball team won its opening game of the UNLV Tournament 8-7 over Creighton. The win moves UNLV back to .500 on the season at 5-5. Creighton, just beginning its season, moves to 0-2.

Middle reliever Giovanni Pupo (1-0) picked up the win for the Rebels. He pitched 3.1 strong innings, giving up only two hits and striking out two batters. Closer Joe Maruffi earned his second save of the season, giving up only one run and striking out a pair in the final inning.

Creighton reliever Mike Perkins (0-1) earned the loss. He gave up three runs in three innings of work.

Eric Nielsen led the Rebels offensively, going 2-for-4 with four RBIs and one run scored. Nielsen hit a bases-loaded triple in the third inning to tie the game at four apiece.

David Trujillo and Garett Shitanishi each added a pair of hits in the contest. Shitanishi extended his team-leading consecutive-game hitting streak to eight games.

Ryan Fitzgerald led the Jays, going 3-for-5 with one RBI and two runs scored.

Play continues Saturday at the UNLV Tournament with Creighton vs. Santa Barbara at 11 a.m., Creighton vs. UNLV at 3 p.m. and Michigan State vs. UNLV at 7 p.m.