April 21, 2002

LAS VEGAS - The UNLV baseball team finally got to begin its three-game series in Utah and opened with a 7-2 victory over the Utes on Sunday night. Friday and Saturday games were pushed back due to inclement weather.

The Rebels controlled the game from the beginning, scoring two runs in the third inning and then adding another in the fifth to build a 3-0 lead. Utah posted a solo run in the fifth on a Donald Hawes homer over the left field wall, but the Rebels broke open the game by adding four insurance runs in the eighth to build a 7-1 margin. Utah tried to rally in the final inning, but managed only a single run.

The win improves the Rebels to 20-21 overall and 6-10 in Mountain West Conference play, while the Utes fall to 24-18, 8-8 in league play.

Starter Robbie Van (4-5) earned the win in 7.2 innings of work. He gave up only one run on seven hits with a season-high 10 strikeouts. Jeremy Weinberg struck out the final batter in the eighth inning.

Jake Gann made his second appearance of the season. He pitched the final inning of the game, giving up one run on two hits.

Jason Wylie (4-6) picked up the loss. He gave up five runs on nine hits with two strikeouts.

Brent Johnson went 2-for-5 in the game, including a two-run homer in the eighth inning. He finished with three RBIs and one run scored.

Joe Wickman, Garett Shitanishi and James Nepa all added a pair of hits in the contest.

UNLV and Utah are scheduled to finish the series with a double-header early Monday morning. First pitch is set for 9:30 a.m. PST.