May 9, 2003

Box Score

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - With a 6-5 victory over New Mexico on Friday night, the 16th-ranked UNLV baseball team clinched at least a share of the regular season Mountain West Conference championship. UNLV now holds a five game lead over second-place New Mexico with five to play. It is the fourth straight game between the two teams decided by a single run.

The win improves the Rebels to 38-13, 21-4 in Mountain West Conference play. The Lobos fall to 33-20, 16-9 in league play.

UNLV took a 5-5 tie into the ninth inning, where Andrew D'Angelo scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch from Joe Salas.

Ryan Braun (5-1) picked up the win for the Rebels. He gave up only one hit in 1.1 innings of work with two strikeouts.

Starter Robbie Van gave up only two runs off five hits 5.0, but did not factor into the decision.

The loss goes to James Vermilyea. He gave up all six runs in 8.2 innings of work.

UNLV scattered nine hits between eight different players. Eddie Gill went 2-for-4 with one RBI. He extended his consecutive game hitting-streak to six games. Brent Johnson also has a six-game hitting-streak after going 1-for-4 with one RBI and a run scored.

UNLV and New Mexico continue the three-game set on Saturday at noon (PT). The remaining two games move to Lobo Field on the UNM campus.