May 3, 2007
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IN THE BATTER'S BOX: UNLV begins its final regular-season road trip of the year, a six-game stretch that opens up at San Diego State. The opener of the three-game series between the Rebels and Aztecs is Friday night at 5:00 p.m., with Saturday's and Sunday's game times set for 1:00 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium in San Diego, Calif.
THE SERIES: UNLV trails the all-time series with San Diego State by a count of 37-48 (.435). The Rebels and Aztecs played five times in 2006, with SDSU winning three of those games. UNLV earned one win in four regular-season match ups and then the Rebels eliminated the Aztecs from the MWC Tournament, 8-5.
UNLV(15-31, 4-11 Mountain West Conference)Head Coach: Buddy Gouldsmith(School: 116-114, 4th Year - Career: Same)
The Rebels: UNLV won the final of its three-game series with Utah this past weekend, ending a 12-game losing streak in the process. Keith Smith is leading the Rebels at the plate with a .349 average (66-189) and has also driven in 32 runs, which is a team high. Blake Gailen has scored 40 runs, driven in another 28 runs and has roped 12 doubles. Overall the Rebels have five regulars hitting .306 or better. Calvin Beamon had a 17-game hitting streak earlier this year and he has also stolen 15 bases this year. On the mound starter Craig Heyer (4-7) has 61 strikeouts in a team-high 85.0 innings of work. Out of the bullpen Marc Baca is 2-2 with four saves and the sophomore has struck out 22 batters and has a 2.15 ERA in 29.1 innings of work.
SAN DIEGO STATE(27-22, 11-7 Mountain West Conference)Head Coach: Tony Gwynn(School: 140-154, 5th Year - Career: Same)
The Aztecs: San Diego State will be trying to snap a five-game losing streak this weekend, after the Aztecs had reeled off five-consecutive wins. SDSU fell out of second place in the MWC following a sweep by TCU and this past Tuesday the Aztecs lost to UC Riverside 7-1. SDSU is led at the plate by Nick Romero, who is hitting .337 (62-184) with six home runs and 39 RBI. He has also hit 10 doubles and five triples this season. SDSU's strength is on the mound, where they have a team ERA of 4.13. Sunday starter Lance Sewell is 4-4 with a 3.19 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 62.0 innings of work. Stephen Strasburg is the closer for the Aztecs and he has six saves, a 2.83 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 28.2 innings.
REBELS' LAST TIME OUT: UNLV dropped the first two games of its series with Utah before rebounding and winning the final on Sunday. The victory snapped a 12-game losing streak for the Rebels and featured a complete game by Kevin Skogley. The Rebels kept it close on Friday night but could not get the key hit in losing a tight 4-2 game to the Utes. In the second game ofthe series Saturday afternoon UNLV carried a one-run lead into the eighth inning but could not make it hold up. Utah scored the game's final five runs on its way to a 10-6 victory at Earl E. Wilson Stadium. Keith Smith had four hits to lead the Rebels. Skogley carried the Rebels to the win on Sunday however, going the distance and allowing nine hits and three runs in the Rebels' 8-3 victory. It was the first complete game for a Rebel pitcher in more than two years.
