April 28, 2006
Final Stats
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - UNLV baseball's struggles away from home continued Friday night, as the Rebels fell behind early, rallied late but could not come all the way back in losing 7-5 to Utah in a Mountain West Conference game at Franklin Covey Stadium.
With the loss, UNLV is now 17-26 overall and 4-10 in MWC play as the Rebels dropped to 1-16 on the road and they are overall just 3-17 (2-1 on a neutral field) in games played away from Earl E. Wilson Stadium. Utah improved to 22-18 on the year, 5-6 in league play.
The Rebels had the tying runs on base with two and Keith Smith at the plate in the top of the ninth inning but Utah reliever Brad DeVore got Smith to hit into a fielder's choice to end the game.
UNLV starter Chris Saddoris (5-6) lasted just 3.2 innings in taking the loss as the left hander gave up six runs on six hits while striking out three and walking three. Utah starter Josh Cooper (4-5) earned the win, working 7.1 innings, giving up five runs on eight hits and striking out three. DeVore didn't allow a run in the final 1.2 innings in earning his fifth save of the year.
Utah got on the board first, scoring three runs in the bottom of the third inning on a three-run home run by Jay Brossman off of Saddoris, giving the Utes a 3-0 lead.
UNLV got one run back in the top of the fourth inning when CJ Lang hit his fifth home run of the year, a solo shot off of Cooper that brought the Rebels to within 3-1. Utah added three more runs in the bottom of the frame though to extend its lead to 6-1.
Kowalski started the Rebel rally in the top of the eight inning, hitting a two-run home run with one out in the frame that brought the Rebels to within three at 6-3. UNLV wasn't finished though, getting a run when Blake Gailen drew a bases-loaded walk and then another on a sacrifice fly by Albert Zerega Jr., making the score 6-5.
Utah added an insurance run in its half of the eighth inning when Tyler Kmetko hit an RBI single off of Rebel closer Jabe Beard, making the margin 7-5 in Utah's favor.
Kowalski had a strong game at the plate, as the junior went 3-4 with two RBI and a run scored to go along with his second home run of the year. Eric Brock was effective coming out of the bullpen, allowing just one hit and striking out one in 3.1 innings of scoreless relief for Saddoris. UNLV finished the game with 11 hits and two errors while Kmetko was 4-5 with two RBI and a run scored, part of 10 hits on the evening for the Utes.
UNLV continues its series with Utah on Saturday, with the first pitch scheduled for 12:00 p.m. (PDT) at Franklin Covey Stadium.
