Feb. 17, 2006
Final Stats
RENO, Nev. - In a game that featured a wind-chilled temperature of 23 degrees, UNLV baseball's defense froze in the seventh inning, committing three errors that led to three runs in a 6-0 defeat to rival Nevada, Reno.
UNLV dropped to 1-6 on the year and starter Efren Navarro Jr. (0-1) was credited with the loss despite pitching well in his first start of year. UNR improved to 2-5 on the year and Tom Schoeninger (1-1) picked up the win after tossing seven shutout innings.
The Rebels entered the pivotal seventh inning locked in a pitcher's duel and trailed the Wolf Pack just 1-0 before things unraveled for UNLV.
The inning started with a ground ball by UNR rightfielder Shawn Scobee that Rebel third baseman Chad Miller misplayed for the first error of the frame. Terrence Walsh followed with a triple off of Rebel reliever Koji Pupo that made the score 2-0. Pupo then issued a walk but rebounded with a strikeout for the first out. Another error by Miller followed that allowed Walsh to score and put runners on the first and second. A fielder's choice got the Rebels' to two outs with runners on the corners, but Pupo walked another batter and on the play Braden Walker committed an error, allowing another run to cross the plate, pushing the score to 4-0.
UNR added a pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth inning on the Rebels' fourth error of the game and a wild pitch, making the score 6-0. It was the first time that UNLV was shut out on the road since the 2003 season, when San Diego State held the Rebels scoreless in a 3-0 win on May 4.
Navarro Jr. tossed four solid innings, allowing three hits while striking out three against no walks. But one of those hits was costly, as UNR rightfielder Shawn Scobee took a 1-0 pitch over the right-field fence with one out for a 1-0 Wolf Pack lead.
That one run would be all that Schoeninger would need as he allowed just three UNLV base runners to reach second base through the first seven innings of the game, striking out six and walking one. Travis Sutton, scheduled to be the starter in Sunday's game, came on in relief in the eighth inning and retired the Rebels in order.
Chris Bonnell went 2-4 at the plate for the Rebels with two doubles, the third-consecutive multi-hit game for the junior first baseman and UNLV finished the game with five hits. UNR mustered only six hits on the chilly afternoon, but was able to plate its six runs off of the Rebels' miscues.
UNLV and UNR continue their series tomorrow afternoon with Rebel left hander Chris Saddoris slated to start against Wolf Pack right hander Ryan Rodriguez at 1:00 p.m. (PST) at Peccole Park.
