May 22, 2004

Box Score

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - A four-run bottom of the ninth inning for New Mexico cost UNLV the regular season Mountain West Conference tournament crown and the top seed in next week's conference tournament as the Lobos defeated the Rebels 5-4 on Saturday at Isotopes Park in both teams' regular season finale.

The loss dropped UNLV (20-10 MWC) into a tie for second place in the conference with New Mexico (20-10), but the Lobos earned the No. 2 seed by recording a 4-2 mark this year against the Rebels. San Diego State (19-9) won the regular season conference championship and earned the top seed.

UNLV, the No. 3 seed, will face No. 6 Air Force on Wednesday as tournament play opens at UNLV's Wilson Stadium.

Trailing 4-1 in the bottom of the ninth, New Mexico (24-27-1 overall) got things started with a first-pitch home run by Daniel Stovall. After the next batter hit a single, UNLV starter Matt Luca was pulled and replaced by Ben Scheinbaum. Luca pitched eight innings, allowed eight hits, three runs and struck out five batters with no walks.

Scheinbaum (3-5) was charged with the loss after recording just one out and allowing the final two runs on three hits.

Joe Salas (4-1) was credited with the win after pitching the final two innings for the Lobos. New Mexico starter Cooper Eddy pitched seven innings, gave up seven hits and three runs, striking out nine UNLV batters.

UNLV (33-22 overall) took an early 2-0 lead after two and a half innings. New Mexico scored a run in the bottom of the third to cut the lead to 2-1.

The Rebels added a run in the eighth on an Eric Nielsen home run and in the ninth on a Ryan Kowalski RBI single to take a 4-1 lead.

New Mexico out-hit the Rebels 11-9 for the game and UNLV committed two errors to the Lobos' none.