April 13, 2002

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - UNLV's comeback attempt fell just short as San Diego State broke a 4-4 tie in the bottom of the eighth to win 5-4 on Saturday night at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The loss drops the Rebels to 17-20 overall and 5-9 in Mountain West Conference play. The Aztecs improve to 28-12, 10-3 in league play.

UNLV scored three runs in the eighth to tie the game, but it was not enough. San Diego State scored a single run in the bottom of the inning and brought in Royce Ring, the nation's leader in saves, to finish the game. Ring gave up two hits and struck out two in 1.1 innings of work. With the win, he improve his record to 2-1 on the season.

Robbie Van pitched well for the Rebels. He gave up four runs, two earned, off seven hits in 7.0 innings of work. Jeremy Weinberg (1-3) pitched two outs in the eighth, giving up the go-ahead run before being relieved by Joe Maruffi, who struck out the only batter he faced.

David Trujillo and Eric Nielsen each finished the game 2-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored. Garett Shitanishi went 2-for-3 with one RBI. Ryan Ruiz and Robert VanKirk added a single hit each.

The Aztecs were led by Brian Manfred who went 2-for-3 with three RBIs.

UNLV and San Diego State conclude the three-game series on Sunday at 1 p.m.