March 22, 2007

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IN THE BATTER'S BOX: UNLV is nearing the end of a 10-game homestand as it hosts the final three-game series of that stretch, welcoming the University of San Diego to town. The two teams open up their series on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. (PT) at Earl E. Wilson Stadium, with games on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and Sunday at 1:00 p.m. The Toreros, who are currently ranked as high as 21st in the Baseball America poll, are the fourth ranked team that the Rebels have played at home this season.

THE SERIES: UNLV leads the all-time series with San Diego 7-4 (.636) and the two teams played a three-game series last year at USD. The Rebels were swept in that series in the first of a home-and-home series with the Toreros.

UNLV(10-17, 1-2 Mountain West Conference)Head Coach: Buddy Gouldsmith(School: 111-100, 4th Year - Career: Same)

The Rebels: Efren Navarro Jr. is leading the Rebels at the plate with a .356 average (31-87) and his 18 RBI are second on the team. Blake Gailen has scored a team-leading 23 runs and has a .523 slugging percentage. Michael Brenly and Keith Smith are tied for the team lead with 19 RBI. Overall the Rebels have six regulars hitting .300 or better. Calvin Beamon's had a 17-game hitting streak snapped earlier this season. On the mound starter Craig Heyer (3-2) has 32 strikeouts in a team-high 49.1 innings. Out of the bullpen Marc Baca is 2-1 with four saves and he has given up just four earned runs in 17 appearances. The sophomore has struck out 21 batters and has a 1.52 ERA.

NO. 21 SAN DIEGO(19-9, 0-0 Big West Conference)Head Coach: Rich Hill(School: 285-210-3, 9th Year - Career: 618-430-3, 19th Year)

The Toreros: San Diego comes into Las Vegas winners of seven of its last eight, including five in a row. Last week USD beat No. 13 Cal State Fullerton 5-1 and then took three games from Houston, all in San Diego. On offense the Toreros are led by Justin Snyder, who is hitting .339 with two home runs and 16 RBI on the year. Shane Buschini is the top power threat for USD, with six home runs and 21 RBI. From the mound the Toreros' top starter is Brian Matusz, who will start Friday night's game. Matusz is 4-1 with a 2.66 ERA and 83 strikeouts in eight starts. AJ Griffen is the closer out of the bullpen and he has five saves and 38 strikeouts in 35.0 IP.

REBELS' LAST TIME OUT: UNLV won its MWC opener to start a three-game series with BYU, but the Rebels dropped the next two in the series at Earl E. Wilson Stadium. Blake Gailen paced the Rebels in their victory over the Cougars, going 4-for-5 with six RBI and a pair of runs scored in the 13-5 victory. Friday starter Craig Heyer earned the win, tossing six solid innings. UNLV then jumped out to an early 5-1 lead in the second game, but the Cougars rallied for a 9-8 win to even the series. Keith Smith and Xavier Scruggs each hit their second home run of the season in the loss. In the series capper on Sunday, the Rebels could not muster much offense against Cougar starter Jesse Craig, who limited UNLV to just six hits in the 5-3 loss.