March 26, 2006

Final Stats

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - UNLV baseball was kept off the scoreboard Sunday afternoon, as the Rebels had four hits in a 3-0 loss to the University of San Diego at Cunningham Stadium.

UNLV dropped to 12-15 on the year with the loss, which was charged to starter Ryan Tabor (1-2), who pitched well but fell victim to poor run support. The Rebels are now 1-11 on the road this year and have lost 10 in a row away from Earl E. Wilson Stadium. USD improved to 18-10 overall with Ricardo Pecina (3-1) getting the win and Josh Romanski picking up his fourth save.

USD got on the board in the first inning on an RBI single by Jordan Abruzzo and then added a pair in the third inning when Abruzzo doubled home a run and then scored on a double by Keoni Ruth, making the score 3-0.

The Rebels had chances to put runs on the board but could not get a timely hit as they left nine men on base. UNLV had the bases loaded and two outs in the second inning but Ryan Kowalski hit into a fielder's choice to end the threat. The Rebels also had two men on and two out in the fifth inning but Pecina got out of the jam by getting Keith Smith to fly out.

The shutout marks the third time this year and the second time on the road that the Rebels were held without a run. Chad Miller had two of the Rebels four hits while Chris Bonnell and Braden Walker each had one. Tabor had a strong outing, giving up the three runs while allowing eight hits, striking out two and walking one over seven innings of work. Pecina worked six innings and then Romanski closed out the final three innings out of the bullpen.

UNLV will return to San Diego this week for the Mountain West Conference Preseason Tournament, where all seven MWC schools will be in action and play four games against fellow league members. UNLV opens the tournament with BYU on Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. (PST) and will also play TCU, Air Force and San Diego State.