Feb. 27, 2009
Final Stats
LAS VEGAS - UNLV junior first baseman Kyle Kretchmer broke a tie in the bottom of the eighth inning, hitting his first career home run to propel the Rebels to a 5-4 victory over Saint Peter's College on Friday at Earl E. Wilson Stadium.
The win broke a three-game slide for the Rebels, who moved to 4-3 in the opener of back-to-back doubleheaders at Earl E. Wilson Stadium against SPC, which is now 1-4 on the year. UNLV reliever Marc Baca came out of the bullpen and got the final four outs of the game to earn his first win of the season, including setting down the Peacocks in order in the top of the ninth. Anthony DeLeo was the Saint Peter's reliever took the loss, his first decision of the year, as he served up the home run to Kretchmer, who hit a 1-2 pitch over the right-field fence.
UNLV got on the board first, scoring a run in the bottom of the second when Anthony Morel tripled to left and then scored on a wild pitch from SPC starter Frank Flynn.
After the Peacocks tied the score in the top third, the Rebels plated two runs in the bottom half of the frame to move back in front, 3-1.
Scott Berke singled to center to start the rally and after he stole second and moved to third on a ground out, he scored on Rance Roundy's triple to the right-field gap. Roundy then crossed the plate on a ground out off the bat of Jesse Wight to give the Rebels a two-run lead.
That lead wouldn't last long, however, as Saint Peter's rallied in the top of the fourth off of UNLV starter Jeff Urlaub.
Mike McGuire and John Lynch each singled to start the inning and they moved up to second and third following a sacrifice, bringing Garrett Duross to the plate. Urlaub then gave up his first home run of the year, a shot to left that gave the Peacocks a 4-3 lead, but those would be their final runs of the game.
After Urlaub got out of the fourth, Brian Gilbertson combined with Baca to toss five innings of scoreless relief, keeping it a one-run game and giving UNLV the chance to stage its late-inning rally. Gilbertson worked 3.2 innings in his Rebel debut, giving up one hit and striking out three.
UNLV tied the game in the bottom of the fourth when J.J. Sferra walked, moved to second on a balk and then came around to score Berke's single to right field. The game would remain tied over the next three innings until Kretchmer lead off the frame with his blast to right.
The Rebels and Peacocks are slated to play another game tonight and then two more on Saturday, with the first contest scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m. (PT) at Earl E. Wilson Stadium.
