May 24, 2006
Final Stats
LAS VEGAS - Three-time defending Mountain West Conference tournament champion UNLV used two big innings to stay alive in this year's event, outlasting third-seeded San Diego State 8-5 on a hot Wednesday evening at Earl E. Wilson Stadium.
The fourth-seeded host Rebels, who bounced back from a 17-2 thumping at the hands of New Mexico during Tuesday's first round, improved to 28-29 overall and will play Thursday in another elimination game at 7:30 p.m. PDT.
The Aztecs, who had advanced earlier in the day with a 26-1 win over Air Force, saw their season end at 23-36.
Rebel starter Kevin Skogley got his first win since April 29, improving to 3-6 on the year by going six strong innings, allowing four runs off six hits. Reliever Jabe Beard allowed just a lone run over the final three innings to notch his fifth save. Adam Simon (0-7) took the loss for the Aztecs, surrendering four runs in relief of Bruce Billings, who went six innings, allowing six hits and four runs, three of which were earned.
SDSU opened the scoring with a first-inning RBI double by Paul Smyth, who would finish 3-for-5 on the night. UNLV exploded for four runs in a third inning that included three singles, a bases-loaded walk and a sacrifice fly.
In the bottom of the inning, the Aztecs pulled to within 4-2 when Smyth clubbed his 11th home run of the season. SDSU would tie things in the fourth when Jordan Swaydan scored on a wild pitch by Skogley. The next batter, Quintin Berry, plated the tying run with a ground out.
After two scoreless innings, UNLV took the lead for good with a three-run outburst in the seventh. After a CJ Lang single and Keith Smith walk, Chad Miller hit his first triple of the season for two of his three RBI on the night. A Ryan Bird single scored pinch-runner Troy Harlander to make it 7-4.
Smyth was back at it in the bottom of the inning with an RBI single. However, Beard promptly picked Smyth off first base to help keep the score at 7-5. Another Rebel triple led to their final run as Lang led off with a three-bagger and came home off a Smith single.
The Aztecs threatened one final time as Smyth came to the plate as the potential tying run in the bottom of the ninth. However, with two on and two out, Beard struck out Smyth looking to end the game and give UNLV head coach Buddy Gouldsmith his 100th victory in three seasons at the helm of the Rebels.
