March 8, 2002

TEMPE, Ariz. - The UNLV baseball team won the opening game of the Bob Schaefer Memorial Tournament over St. John's, 11-5, in Tempe, Ariz. The win improves the Rebels to 10-8 on the season, while the Red Storm fall to 1-6.

UNLV starter Jared Bonnell (2-1) earned the win. He pitched 5.2 innings, giving up four runs on 11 hits. Jeremy Weinberg closed out the game, pitching the final 3.1 innings to earn his second save of the season. He gave up one run on three hits with two strikeouts.

St. John's Jim Wladyka (0-2) was credited with the loss. He pitched 5.1 innings and gave up five runs on seven hits.

UNLV took a 2-2 tie into the fifth inning before Brent Johnson scored on a wild pitch to give the Rebels the go-ahead run. UNLV would pack on plenty of insurance as the game continued, scoring two in the sixth, three in the seventh and another three in the ninth.

David Trujillo and Jason Reuss each finished the game 2-for-5 with a home run. Trujillo drove in two runs and scored twice, while Reuss drove in three runs and scored once.

Ryan Ruiz was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, finishing with one RBI and two runs scored.

Robert VanKirk went 1-for-4 and extended his hitting streak to nine games. Eric Nielsen finished 0-for-3 and snapped his hitting streak at nine games.

The Rebels play No. 16 Arizona State in the Friday nightcap. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.