May 4, 2006

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IN THE BATTER'S BOX

UNLV remains on the road, traveling to Tucson, Ariz., to play Arizona in a three-game series that begins Friday. The first pitch is slated for 7:00 p.m. (PDT) while Saturday's game is at 6:00 p.m. and Sunday's start time 12:00 p.m. The series concludes an eight-game road trip for the Rebels and it is the final non-conference opponent this season.

UNLV REBELS(19-27, 4-9 Mountain West Conference)Head Coach: Buddy Gouldsmith(91-79, 3rd year; Overall, same)

The Rebels: UNLV enters Friday's game against Utah with a 19-27 record, 6-10 in the MWC after the Rebels lost Tuesday at UC Irvine 4-3 in 15 innings. Keith Smith leads the Rebel regulars in batting average with a .331 clip (53-160) and his 43 RBI are also tops on the team. Chad Miller leads the team with 10 home runs while Smith also paces the team with four triples. Chris Saddoris (5-7) leads the Rebel staff with 12 starts and 72.0 innings of work from the mound. Jabe Beard has made a team-high 20 appearances out of the Rebel bullpen and has recorded four saves, tops for UNLV. Kevin Skogley leads the Rebels with 46 strikeouts and 10 different UNLV pitchers have recorded at least one win this season, with Saddoris leading the group with five.

ARIZONA WILDCATS(20-23, 6-9 Pac-10 Conference)Head Coach: Andy Lopez(161-119-1, 5th year; Overall, 848-536-7, 24th year)

The Wildcats: Arizona comes into the series this weekend having lost three of its last four, including a 22-8 rout by Arizona State this past Tuesday evening. Colt Sedbrook paces the Wildcat hitters with a .326 average (47-144) and he also leads the team with a .454 on-base percentage. Jason Donald is the top power threat for UA, with five home runs and 38 RBI. UA has as many triples this year as home runs, 24. On the mound Brad Mills is 5-3 in 12 starts with a 3.52 ERA and a team-high 71 strikeouts. Daniel Schlereth, who redshirted as a freshman at UNLV last year, has four saves and a 4.09 ERA in 17 appearances.

THE SERIES

UNLV trails the short all-time series with Arizona 6-7 (.461). The two teams played twice last year in Arizona, with each team winning once. The Rebels won the opener 8-4 against the 10th-ranked Wildcats before they won the second game 15-4.

LAST TIME OUT

Moments after UNLV baseball had grabbed the lead in the top of the 15th inning on a run-scoring error, UC Irvine used a two-run single in the bottom of the frame to come from behind and win 4-3 on Tuesday night at Anteater Stadium. With men on second and third and one out and UNLV leading 3-2, Rebel left hander Chris Saddoris gave up a single to UCI shortstop Ben Orloff on a 2-2 count that scored both runners, ending the marathon game. UNLV dropped to 19-27 on the year and Saddoris (5-7) was charged with the loss. UCI improved to 29-17 with Dylan Axelrod (3-2) picking up the win. It was the longest game of the season for UNLV.

CELEBRATING MOTHER'S DAY

In honor of Mother's Day weekend, tickets will be $3 for all ladies who attend UNLV's games against New Mexico on May 12-14. That Sunday is also senior day for the Rebels and they will be honored before the game.

May 12 at 6:30May 13 at 2:00May 14 at 1:00 * Senior Day$3 for ladies in honor of Mother's Day weekend (all weekend)$5 Faculty/Seniors/12 and under$7 Regular adult