Feb. 16, 2005
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IN THE BATTER'S BOX: UNLV returns home a weekend early to host in-state rival Nevada, Reno after poor weather at UNR forced the games to be moved to Las Vegas. All three games will be played at Earl E. Wilson Stadium, and the game times are as follows: Feb. 18 6:30 p.m. Feb. 19 2:00 p.m. Feb. 20 1:00 p.m.
LAST TIME OUT: The Rebels dropped three road games to No. 1 Texas, including two one-run thrillers in the first two games of the series. UNLV lost 4-3 to open the series, and then lost 7-6 in heart-breaking fashion. The Rebels had a 6-3 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth, but Texas rallied for four runs to steal the win. UT then completed the sweep, winning game three by a score of 12-3
ON DECK: UNLV remains at home as the Rebels host No. 3 Cal State Fullerton, the defending NCAA Champions. The two teams will play a three-game series, with the first game scheduled for Feb. 25 at Earl E. Wilson Stadium.
UNLV REBELS (1-5, 0-0 MWC): Senior shortstop Zeke Parraz leads UNLV's offense through six games, as the Wallace Award Candidate is hitting .357 (10-28) with team highs of three doubles, five RBI and 13 total bases. Ryan Bird is right behind with a .348 batting average and two doubles. Matt Fry (.304) and CJ Lang (.300) are also hitting atleast .300 for UNLV. Albert Zerega owns the highest average on UNLV, with a .444 mark (4-9). Matt Luca has two strong starts to his credit, but no wins to open 2005. Luca has given up just two earned runs in 10 innings of work, striking out five. His 1.80 ERA is the lowest among UNLV's three starters this season. Derek Rodriguez has yet to earn a decision in two starts, but has a 2.92 ERA and a five strikeouts. Alex Chalfant has been brilliant out of the bullpen early on, working 5.2 innings of scoreless baseball while striking out five. Chalfant has given up just two hits.
NEVADA, RENO WOLFPACK (3-3, 0-0 WAC): Nevada, Reno comes to UNLV after playing two three-game series on the road at Pacific and UC Riverside. The Wolfpack went 2-1 against Pacific and 1-2 against UC Riverside. Jacob Butler and Ryan Sharman lead UNR with a .333 batting average. Brett Hayes has hit three doubles and a home run through six games, driving in three. Tim Schoeninger is the top Wolfpack starter with a 1-1 record with a 2.25 ERA. UNR has yet to play a home game in 2005 and were supposed to play at home this weekend against UNLV, but snow and wet conditions forced the series to be moved to Las Vegas. Poor weather has plagued the Wolfpack, as they had a game against Saint Marys on Feb. 14, cancelled due to rain.
