April 24, 2006

LAS VEGAS - UNLV senior Jabe Beard was named the Mountain West Conference Pitcher of the Week, marking the first time this year that a Rebel pitcher has earned the award, he league announced today.

Beard, a Henderson, Nev., native, came on in relief and earned his second win of the season in UNLV's 6-5, 12-inning victory in game one of the Rebels series vs. San Diego State last Friday. He came on in the ninth inning, with the score tied at five apiece, and threw 4.0 scoreless innings, retiring 11 of the 13 batters he faced and striking out a season-high six, while walking none.

Beard has been the Rebels' top arm out of the bullpen and he leads the team with four saves and 33 strikeouts in 17 appearances this year. UNLV is now 8-1 in the last 10 games that Beard has pitched in.

New Mexico senior shortstop Ryan Barba was named the MWC Player of the week and this is the first career weekly award for both student-athletes.

UNLV is back in action Tuesday night as the Rebels travel to play UC Riverside in a single game with the first pitch slated for 6:00 p.m. (PST) in Riverside, Calif.