March 12, 2005
Final Stats
BERKELEY, Calif. - CJ Lang sparked the Rebels from his leadoff position Saturday afternoon as UNLV beat California 5-2 in the second game of their three-game set at Evans Diamond.
Lang had three hits and scored two runs to help the Rebels snap a four-game losing streak and improve to 4-14. Cal dropped to 12-7 with the loss. Efren Navarro Jr. pitched 3.1 scoreless innings of relief to earn the win, his first of the season. Kyle Tabeek struck out one and didn't allow a hit in the ninth to collect his first save of the 2005 campaign. Golden Bear starter Eric Dworkis took the loss.
Lang led of the game with a double down the left field line and then moved to third on a ground out by Ryan Kowalski. After senior Zeke Parraz drew a walk, Lang was driven in on a sacrifice fly by Matt Fry. Parraz then scored on a Chris Bonnell single, giving the Rebels a 2-0 lead out of the gate.
Cal manufactured a run in the bottom of the third inning of Rebel starter Koji Pupo, as Matt Einspahr singled to begin the inning, moved to third on two groundouts and then scored on a single, cutting the Rebel lead to 2-1.
UNLV increased the lead back to two runs in the fifth when Braden Walker singled, moved to second on a single by Lang and after an error moved Walker to third, he scored on a fly ball by Fry.
The Gold Bears cut UNLV's lead to one again in the bottom half of the fifth. Mike Van Winden reached on a bunt single with one out and then after a walk scored on a double by Allen Craig that made the score 3-2.
UNLV picked up two insurance runs in the top of the seventh to cap the scoring and once again Lang was in the mix of things. Walker doubled to left and then moved to third on a single by Lang to start the seventh. Kowalksi drove in Walker on a fielder's choice and then Lang scored on a single by Fry that put the Rebels up 5-2.
Fry finished the game with three RBI and a single in two at bats. Pupo had a solid start for the Rebels, throwing 4.2 innings and allowing two runs on eight hits.
UNLV and Cal play the rubber match of their three-game series Sunday at 1:00 p.m. (PST) with Rebel right hander Matt Luca (0-4) schedule to toe the rubber against Golden Bear right hander Brandon Morrow (0-0).
