June 5, 2003

LAS VEGAS - UNLV RHP Matt Luca has been named a 2003 Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-American as chosen by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.

Luca was a first team Mountain West selection, posting a 5-0 record and a 4.17 ERA. He fanned 49 batters and walked 25. He highlighted the season with a nine-inning no-hitter over San Diego State on March 28. Luca struck out a season-high 11 batters and allowed only three men to reach base, walking two with one man reaching on an error. It was the first UNLV no-hitter since 1990 and the third in school history.

Luca is the seventh freshman All-America selection in UNLV history, joining Ryan Hankins (1995), Kevin Eberwein (1996), Ryan Ludwick (1997), Ryan Hamill (1998), Brent Johnson (2001) and Joe Wickman (2002).