May 9, 2007
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IN THE BATTER'S BOX: UNLV closes out the road portion of its schedule with a three-game series at New Mexico, beginning Thursday morning at 11:00 a.m. (PT) at Isotopes Park. Friday's and Saturday's games are also at 11:00 a.m. It is an important series for both teams as just 2.5 games seperate third place from sixth place in the Mountain West Conference standings with two weeks remaining in the regular season.
THE SERIES: UNLV leads the all-time series with New Mexico by a mark of 67-41 (.620) and this is the first time the two teams have met this season. Last year the Rebels went 4-1 against the Lobos, with UNLV sweep three regular-season meetings and then splitting a pair of MWC Tournament matchups with UNM.
UNLV(18-31, 7-11 Mountain West Conference)Head Coach: Buddy Gouldsmith(School: 119-114, 4th Year - Career: Same)
The Rebels: UNLV swept three games from San Diego State this past weekend, giving the Rebels a four-game winning streak. Keith Smith is leading the Rebels at the plate with a .340 average (69-203) and he has also driven in 33 runs, which is a team high. Blake Gailen has scored 41 runs, driven in another 30 and has roped 12 doubles. Overall the Rebels have five regulars hitting .309 or better. Calvin Beamon had a 17-game hitting streak earlier this year and he has also stolen a team-high 16 bases. On the mound starter Craig Heyer (5-7) has team highs of 66 strikeouts and 93.0 innings. Out of the bullpen Marc Baca is 2-2 with four saves and he has struck out 24 batters and has a 2.27 ERA in 31.2 innings of work. Adam Moser also has four saves for UNLV.
NEW MEXICO(22-25, 8-10 Mountain West Conference)Head Coach: Rich Alday(School: 509-408-3, 18th Year -Career: 1,005-728-3, 35th Year)
The Lobos: New Mexico will be playing its final home games of the year at Isotopes Park when the Lobos host UNLV. The Lobos have won five of their last seven, although they dropped two of three at home to BYU last week. Jordan Pacheco is leading UNM at the plate, hitting .404 (71-177) with 17 doubles and 50 runs scored. Daniel Stovall is the main power threat with nine home runs and 49 RBI, both team highs. Matt Foote is the top base stealer in the league, swiping 25 in 30 attempts on the season. On the mound Bobby LaFramboise is 5-2 with a 3.44 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 12 appearances, 10 of those starts.
REBELS' LAST TIME OUT: UNLV took all three games from San Diego State on the road this past weekend, extending the Rebels' winning streak to four games. In the opener UNLV jumped out to a 4-0 lead and never looked back in beating the Aztecs 6-3. Junior starter Craig Heyer worked eight solid innings in getting his fifth win of the season. Saturday's game saw the Rebels once again grab an early lead and then they held on late to earn a 7-6 victory. Xavier Scruggs hit his team-leading sixth home run to pace the Rebel offense and Adam Moser saved his second-straight game. The final game of the series belonged to Kevin Skogley, as he struck out 15 Aztecs to lead UNLV to a 6-1 win. Skogley went the distance for the second-straight start and his 15 strikeouts tied the UNLV record for strikeouts in a single game by a pitcher.
