March 23, 2007
Final Stats
LAS VEGAS - The No. 21 San Diego Toreros jumped out to a four-run lead in the first inning and never looked back as the Rebels fell to USD 6-4 Friday night in baseball action from Earl Wilson Stadium.
USD (20-9) capitalized on a few UNLV blunders in gaining their lead, a lead they held for the entire game. Justin Snyder got things rolling with a walk and he then moved to second on Josh Romanski's single to left field. Jordan Abruzzo then hit an RBI single to right field to bring in Snyder, also moving Romanski to third. Shane Buschini hit a sacrifice fly to right field to bring in Romanski from third for the second run of the game.
The Toreros then loaded the bases with a Daniel Magness single and Sean Nicol reached on a fielding error by the Xavier Scruggs. Logan Gelbrich singled in a run, and then on a wild play, Rebel starter Craig Heyer induced a comebacker with the bases-loaded and one out, but instead of coming home with the ball, turned and fired to first, allowing the fourth Terero run of the inning to score.
The Rebels (10-18) got on the board in the bottom of the first, as Calvin Beamon was beaned to start the rally. After two outs were recorded, Beamon was picked off, but the throw from the USD first baseman went into the outfield, allowing Calvin to advance to third. Efren Navarro Jr. then walked setting the stage for Chris Bonnell who drove in Beamon from third.
USD immediately answered with two more in the second inning on a Buschini homer to stretch the lead to 6-1. That proved plenty for All-American pitcher Brian Matusz, who went 6.2 innings allowing just two runs (one earned) on two hits while striking out nine Rebel batters.
In the final ups for the Rebels, UNLV made it interesting as they made their bid for a late-inning comeback. Blake Gailen singled up the middle, followed by a double off the leftfield wall by Michael Brenly. After Ryan Kowalski struck out, Beamon stepped up and ripped a hard hit ball to the right-center gap, scoring both Brenly and Gailen. Beamon stormed around first and tried to stretch the single into a two-bagger, but Terero rightfielder Shane Buschini made a perfect toss to second to nail Beamon, ending the rally and the ballgame.
Rebel freshman lefthander Micheal Goodman was stellar in relief, as he worked 2.2 innings, allowing three hits and no runs with two strikeouts.
The three game set with No. 21 San Diego continues tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m. from Earl E. Wilson Stadium. The Rebels will send Ryan Tabor (2-0) to the mound, and offsetting him will be Josh Romanski (3-1) for the Toreros.
