May 19, 2005
Final Stats
LAS VEGAS - Rebel senior Matt Fry started his last homestand in a big way, drilling two home runs, including a game-winning two-run shot in the bottom of the sixth as UNLV beat Utah 10-4 at Earl E. Wilson Stadium on Thursday night.
The win keeps UNLV a half game ahead of BYU in the Mountain West Conference standings as the Rebels improved to 21-7 in league play (28-26 overall) while the Cougars moved to 21-8 in the MWC after their 4-3 win over San Diego State on Thursday night.
UNLV's magic number is now two, which means any combination of two UNLV wins and BYU losses gives the MWC regular-season title to the Rebels.
With the score tied at four and Ryan Bird on first base, Fry laced a 2-2 pitch from Utah starter Josh Cooper over the right-field fence to give UNLV a 6-4 lead they would not give up.
The Rebels added to the lead in the bottom of the eighth, scoring a run on a sacrifice fly by Fry and then three more on a bases loaded double by Mike Cruz to push the lead to 10-4. Fry finished with a career-high five RBI just two days after the he was forced out of the lineup due to food poisoning.
Utah got on the board first, scoring a run in the top of the third inning on a fielder's choice by Doug Beck that brought home John Welsh.
It didn't take long for the Rebels to grab their first lead of the night as they plated three runs in the bottom of the frame.
Fry started the rally with his first home run of the game, a solo shot to right field that tied the score at one. Ryan Kowalski was then hit by a pitch and CJ Lang followed with a home run to left-center field, giving the Rebels a 3-1 lead.
Utah tied the game again the following inning on a solo home run by Joe Mozeleski and then a RBI single by Welsh. After the Rebels took a one-run lead in the bottom of the fourth on a RBI single by Fry, the Utes tied it again at four in the fifth with a RBI groundout by Mozeleski.
UNLV starter Matt Luca earned the win to improve to 4-6, giving up four runs, three earned on eight hits in six innings of work. The Rebel bullpen kept the Utes off the board the rest of the way, as Wayne Foltin tossed two scoreless innings and Kyle Tabeek worked the ninth. Cooper (3-1) took the loss for the Utes, allowing six runs, all earned on eight hits, including the three home runs.
UNLV and Utah continue their series Friday night with the first pitch set for 6:30 p.m. (PT) at Earl E. Wilson Stadium.
