April 19, 2007
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IN THE BATTER'S BOX: UNLV takes a break from Mountain West action to play a three-game non-conference series with No. 9 Oregon State in Corvallis, beginning Friday evening at 5:00 p.m. (PT). The Rebels and Beavers will then play on Saturday and Sunday, with both game times slated for 1:00 p.m. The three-game series will be the final non-conference road games of the year for UNLV.
THE SERIES: UNLV lead the all-time series with Oregon State by a mark of 4-2 (.666) with the two teams last meeting during the 2001 season, when the Rebels lost 11-9 to the Beavers at Earl E. Wilson Stadium.
UNLV(14-26, 3-9 Mountain West Conference)Head Coach: Buddy Gouldsmith(School: 115-109, 4th Year - Career: Same)
The Rebels: UNLV had three games swept from them by TCU at home last weekend, giving the Rebels a seven-game losing skid that is the team's longest such streak this year. Ryan Kowalski is leading the Rebels at the plate with a .367 average (51-139) and has stolen 14 bases. He also has an 11-game hitting streak heading into Friday's game. Blake Gailen has scored 38 runs, driven in another 28 runs and has roped 12 doubles. Overall the Rebels have six regulars hitting .311 or better. Calvin Beamon had a 17-game hitting streak earlier this year and he has also stolen 14 bases this year. On the mound starter Craig Heyer (4-5) has 53 strikeouts in a team-high 74.0 innings of work. Out of the bullpen Marc Baca is 2-2 with four saves and the sophomore has struck out 21 batters and has a 1.75 ERA in 25.2 innings of work.
No. 9 OREGON STATE(28-8, 4-5 Pac-10 Conference)Head Coach: Pat Casey(School: 419-261-4, 13th Year -Career: 590-374-5, 20th Year)
The Beavers: Oregon State has won four of its last five, including tw-of-three last weekend against Pac-10 opponent Cal. UNLV has also took two-of-three from the Golden Bears this season. The Beavers are led at the plate by catcher Mitch Canham, who is hitting .365 with five home runs and 34 RBI on the year. Jordan Lennerton is right behind with a .363 average and 28 RBI while Mike Lissman leads the team with 37 RBI. On the mound Friday starter Mike Stutes has been dominant, compiling an 8-1 record with a 2.50 ERA and 63 strikeouts against just 25 walks. Out of the bullpen Eddie Kunz is 2-0 with six saves and a 2.22 ERA in 15 appearances.
REBELS' LAST TIME OUT: UNLV dropped all three of its games with TCU this past weekend at Earl E. Wilson Stadium. The Rebels jumped out to an early 4-1 lead in the opener against the Horned Frogs, but UNLV couldn't make it hold as the TCU rallied for a 13-6 Mountain West Conference victory. Up by three runs after three innings, the Rebels gave up 12 of the next 14 runs to the Horned Frogs, including eight consecutive runs in the fourth and fifth innings. In the second game on Saturday both teams scored runs in bunches, but the Rebels could not outscore TCU and lost 16-12 on a windy day at Earl E. Wilson Stadium. In the final game on Sunday the Rebels had a 2-0 lead after five innings but did not make the lead stand, as the Horned Frogs rallied for a 7-3 win and the series sweep.
