March 2, 2007
Final Stats
RENO, Nev. - UNLV baseball took a one-run lead into the eighth but could not hold it, giving up three runs in the frame to in-state rival Nevada, Reno and lost 5-3 on Friday afternoon at Peccole Park.
The Rebel bullpen, which has been solid all year, spoiled a strong outing by Craig Heyer as the squad dropped back below .500 at 8-9 on the year. Koji Pupo (0-1) took the loss, allowing two runs on one hit and not recording an out in the game-changing eighth. UNR improved to 7-9 on the year, with Kody Kehorer (2-1) earning the win.
Heyer was solid through 7.1 innings, giving up two earned runs on six hits while striking out six and walking two. He gave up single runs in the first and fourth innings before turning it over to the bullpen.
UNLV overcame two separate one-run deficits in the game and then took a 3-2 lead in the seventh, only to fall back behind in the eighth.
Efren Navarro Jr. led off the second inning with a single and then be scored on a double by Chad Miller that knotted the game at one. After the Rebels fell behind again by a run in the fourth, they fought back and tied it again in the sixth on a ground out by Blake Gailen that scored Calvin Beamon, who had tripled with one out.
Navarro Jr. singled to start the seventh and then Miller drew a walk to put a pair of runners on with no out. Michael Brenly and Ryan Kowalski both hit into fielder's choices though, and Miller ended up at third with to out and Braden Walker coming to the plate. The junior delivered, hitting a double to left center that scored Miller and gave the Rebels a short-lived 3-2 lead.
Heyer got the first out of the inning and then head coach Buddy Gouldsmith brought in Pupo out of the bullpen, who walked Jason Rodriguez and then gave up a double to Shaun Kort. That ended Pupo's day and Adam Moser came in and struck out the only batter he faced before he was replaced by Marc Baca.
Baca could not get the Rebels out of the inning though, giving up a single to Baker Krukow that plated two runs and gave the Wolf Pack a 5-3 lead that would stand up.
Walker and Navarro Jr. each had two hits in the game for the Rebels, which finished the game with eight hits. UNR collected 10 on the afternoon.
UNLV and UNR continue their series Saturday with the first pitch set for 1:00 p.m. (PST).
