March 3, 2005
Expectations couldn't be higher as UNLV enters the 2005 season. Of course, when a team wins two consecutive Mountain West Conference Tournaments and advances to the NCAA Tournament both times, high expectations should be expected.
Keeping the Rebels at the top is a challenge that second-year head coach Buddy Gouldsmith is looking forward to, despite the fact that UNLV returns just 10 letterwinners from last year's 37-24 squad.
"We have raised the level of expectations here," Gouldsmith says. "Our fans, supporters and our program expects to win the conference and play in a regional. The next step would be to win a regional and compete for a national championship."
While losing an All-American and six other players to the MLB draft would force most teams to rebuild, Gouldsmith and his staff have simply reloaded as the Rebels make a run toward a third-straight MWC title.
CATCHING
Sophomore catcher Justin Tellam looks to handle the majority of the catching duties this year for the Rebels. Last year as a freshman Tellam started 27 games and hit .290 with three home runs and 24 RBI. Backing up Tellam will be Albert Zerega, who transferred to UNLV from Santa Ana (Calif.) Junior College.
"We are hoping the Tellam remains durable and that he will handle the majority of the catching for us this year," Gouldsmith says. "With him and Zerega, it gives us two quality guys to go to behind the plate."
INFIELD
Efren Navarro Jr. and Chris Bonnell could platoon at first base, depending on the pitching matchup that UNLV will face. Bonnell hit .292 last season for the Rebels, starting eight games and playing in a total of 24. Navarro, who has a good glove around the bag, will also pitch for the Rebels. Tyler Beranek may also see time at first base for the Rebels.
"Tyler can play a variety of positions for us," Gouldsmith says. "His bat is so good that he will find a spot in the lineup."
C.J. Lang is the front runner at second base after displaying strong defensive skills at the position during the fall camp and into this spring. Competing with Lang will be Anthony Hernandez, who hit well during the preseason.
Shortstop will be manned by Zeke Parraz, who starts the season after being named to the Wallace Award Watch List, which goes to college baseball's best player. Parraz hit .385 last season, the second-highest average on the team. He had 10 doubles, three home runs and 22 RBI while starting in 30 games. Hernandez can also back up Parraz at shortstop, with Braden Walker when needed.
At the other corner of the infield will be Mike Cruz and Willie Bowman, who have emerged as two of the top newcomers for the Rebels. Cruz is a transfer from the Community College of Southern Nevada. Cruz was named the Junior College Defensive MVP in 2002 for the championship CCSN squad. Bowman, only a freshman, will push Cruz and play a significant role for the Rebels this season.
"Mike Cruz is a very versatile player," Gouldsmith says. "He has been outstanding throughout the fall and into spring camp."
OUTFIELD
Starting in left field will be senior Matt Fry, who comes to UNLV after playing at Arkansas. One of the fastest players on the team, sophomore Ryan Kowalski will likely start in center field for the Rebels, as its top threat to steal. Last season Kowalski swiped 20 bags in 23 attempts to lead the team. Completing outfield will be Ryan Bird in right field.
"Matt Fry is a senior who gives us great experience in the outfield and he also has the potential to hit at the top of the lineup," Gouldsmith says. "Kowalski's speed brings something to the table that no one else on the team can bring. He runs incredibly well."
Also figuring to get time in the outfield will be Dylan Gaughen, Sean Rand, Daniel Schlereth and JC Sibley.
PITCHING
Anchoring the staff this year will be junior Matt Luca, who is 12-5 in two seasons at UNLV with 147 career strikeouts in 143.2 innings pitched. Luca, who was a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American, has a strong fastball in the 90s with a better-than-average curveball and solid changeup.
In the number two slot could be Derek Rodriguez, who is entering his first season at UNLV after playing at Arizona last season. Rodriguez' fastball is in the low 90s and he also throws a curve ball and a changeup. The number three starter on the weekends will be Eric Brock, who has a fastball in the upper 80s and mixes speeds really well with a good breaking ball and changeup. Matt Wagner and Navarro Jr. are two other pitchers who will also battle for a starting position, either as the third starter or as a mid-week hurler.
"We have much greater depth on the mound than in past years," Gouldsmith says. "Matt Luca and Derek Rodriguez both have good stuff and Eric Brock really competes on the mound."
Coming out of the bullpen will be a group consisting of Koji Pupo, Derek Cummings, Joe Stone, Alex Kringen, Jordan Johnson and Alex Chalfant. Chris Huseman will be the probable set-up man and Wayne Foltin or Kyle Tabeek will likely close games. Foltin's fastball is in the mid 90s and he also throws a curveball.
SCHEDULE
UNLV's 56-game schedule, which includes 28 home games at Earl E. Wilson Stadium, is one its most daunting to date, as the Rebels play three teams that advanced to last year's College World Series, including champion Cal State Fullerton. The Rebels open the season at home against Cal State Northridge and then hit the road for six games, three against perennial national-power Texas and in-state rival Nevada, Reno. UNLV then comes home for a three-game set with Cal State Fullerton. The Rebels also have non-conference games against UC Irvine, Florida Atlantic, Cal, Arizona, Loyola Marymount and UC Riverside.
"We made a conscious effort to really challenge ourselves during our non-conference schedule this season," Gouldsmith says. "We are going to play at some hostile environments early on and hopefully that will benefit our team in the long run."
UNLV opens MWC play at home on March 8 against Air Force. The Rebels then go on the road to play New Mexico and then host San Diego State in a re-match of last year's title game.
This year's MWC Championship will be played in Salt Lake City from May 25-28 at Franklin-Covey Field..
"After playing the schools we will have played in the early going, we will be ready for anything heading into conference play," Gouldsmith says. "I really feel that with our pitching where it is, it will be the thing that sets us apart from the rest of the league."