April 7, 2007
Final Stats
PROVO, Utah - UNLV could not avoid the sweep on Saturday as the bullpen gave up nine runs in the seventh that propelled BYU to a 16-9 victory at Larry H. Miller Field to close out the three-game series.
The Rebels (14-23, 3-6 MWC) entered the bottom of the game-changing frame with a one-run lead, but could not make it stand in allowing the runs on four hits and one untimely error. The loss extended UNLV's losing streak to four games and Michael Goodman (1-1) was charged with the loss as he gave up the go-ahead run. BYU (19-13, 6-3 MWC) sent 12 batters to the plate in the seventh with Casey Ko hitting a two-run single with the bases loaded that gave his team an 8-7 lead and jump-started the Cougar offense.
Following the single Stephen Wells hit a two-run triple to right to make the score 10-7 before Rebel reliever Koji Pupo got a strike out for the second out of the frame. Pupo couldn't get the final out, hitting a batter and then walking another to load the bases, bringing Collin Fanning to the plate. Fanning singled to center field but Ryan Kowalski misplayed the ball, allowing three runs to cross the plate. Apana Nakayama then capped the rally with a two-run home run that made the score 15-7.
Before the critical seventh, it was a back-and-forth game as the Rebels scored the game's first two runs on a two-run home run by Efren Navarro Jr. in the top of the first. BYU scored a run in the bottom half of the first and then went up 3-2 in the third before the Rebels answered with three runs of their own in the fifth.
Xavier Scruggs singled, Drew Beuerlein reached on an error and then Braden Walker walked to load the bases for the Rebels to start the frame. Calvin Beamon then reached on a fielder's choice that scored Scruggs and Blake Gailen hit an RBI single that scored Beuerlein and moved Beamon to third. Beamon scored on a wild pitch by BYU starter Jordan Muir that made it a 5-3 Rebel lead, but Muir recovered to get Keith Smith and Navarro Jr. to ground out to end the rally.
BYU tied the game in the bottom on the inning only to see the Rebels move back in front in the sixth on sacrifice flies by Scruggs and Beuerlein that gave their team a 7-5 advantage. The Cougars got one run in the bottom of the sixth before exploding in the seventh inning.
The Cougars added a run in the eighth and Smith hit a two-run single for the Rebels in the ninth to wrap up the scoring.
Navarro Jr. and Smith each had two RBI for UNLV, which finished the game with nine hits and three errors. Nakayama drove in five runs and Fanning knocked in four for BYU, which had 12 hits and two errors.
UNLV will return home and open up a three-game series with league-leading TCU on Friday at 7:00 p.m. (PT) at Earl E. Wilson Stadium and the game will be televised live on The Mtn.
