April 29, 2008

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - UNLV baseball tied the game late but Cal State Northridge broke the tie in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Rebels lost to the Matadors 2-1 on Tuesday afternoon at Matador Field.

Both team's starters were effective in the low-scoring affair, as UNLV starter Marc Baca gave up just one run in a career-long 6.2 innings of work. CSUN starter Billy Ott was just as effective, allowing no runs over five innings while the bullpen gave up just one unearned run over the final four innings.

Rebel reliever Michael Goodman (1-2) was charged with the loss, as he gave up the run in the bottom of the eighth, dropping UNLV to 19-24 overall on the year. Matador reliever Eric Billings earned the win and Edwin Quirarte earned the save with a scoreless ninth as Northridge improved to 18-22 on the season.

UNLV had a chance to tie in the ninth, putting runners on the corners with two out, but Rance Roundy hit into a fielder's choice to end the game.

The Matadors scored the first run of the game in the third inning on a RBI double by Richard Cates that scored TS Reed, who had led off the innings with a single

UNLV tied it in the seventh when Xavier Scruggs drew a lead-off walk, moved to third on a pair of ground outs, and then crossed the plate on a throwing error. That would be the Rebels' lone run of the game, as they were held to just seven hits in the game.

Cal State Northridge broke the tie in the bottom of the eighth when Goodman gave up a single to Drew Muren that scored Chris Hannick, who led off the frame with a double. The Matadors finished the game with 10 hits and also committed a pair of errors in the game.

Braden Walker and Roundy each had a pair of hits for UNLV.

UNLV and CSUN will wrap up their short, two-game series on Wednesday, with the first pitch from Matador Field set for 3:00 p.m. (PDT).