Feb. 25, 2006

Final Stats

LAS VEGAS - UNLV broke out offensively Saturday afternoon with season highs in runs and hits to rout visiting Eastern Michigan 18-5 behind 17 Rebel hits in front of 524 fans at Earl E. Wilson Stadium.

UNLV improved to 2-8 and it snapped a seven-game losing streak, which matched the third-longest streak in team history and was its longest since an eight-game streak in 1997. EMU dropped to 2-4 with the loss.

Rebel left hander Chris Saddoris (2-2) was the benefactor of the offensive explosion, throwing six strong innings and striking out five to pick up the win. Saddoris, who has both of UNLV's wins, did not need much run support, as he limited EMU to two runs on four hits. Matt Dillard lasted just 1.1 innings for EMU in taking the loss.

The Eagles got on the board first, plating a run in the second inning on an RBI single by Shane Bradshaw, but from there on the Rebel bats dominated the afternoon.

UNLV scored four runs in both the second and third innings, and after pushing single runs across plate in the fourth and fifth, the Rebels exploded for eight more in the sixth, putting the game out of reach. During the streak UNLV pounded on 15 hits and forced EMU to go through six pitchers. The plethora of runs made the score 18-2 after six innings. The Rebels did all of their damage without the use of the long ball and on the afternoon they had just three extra-base hits with Braden Walker hitting a double and a triple and Chris Bonnell adding a double of his own.

Mike Cruz finished the game 4-5 with three RBI and a run scored while Bonnell, Walker and Chad Miller each had two hits. Seven other Rebels had hits in the game and a total of 12 UNLV base runners crossed home plate, led by Walker's four runs.

The 18 runs were the most for UNLV in a game since they scored 24 in a win against Air Force last season on May 7 while today's 17 hits were the most since they rapped out 18 against that same Falcon team last season on May 8.

UNLV and EMU end their series tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 p.m. (PST) at Earl E. Wilson Stadium.