March 11, 2011
Box Score l Peters Interview l Chambers Interview
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - Powered behind yet another stellar outing from Friday night ace Tanner Peters, the UNLV baseball team took game one of its four-game weekend series with Valparaiso University, 12-2, here tonight at Wilson Stadium.
Peters (4-0) went eight innings in the win, scattering five hits and, giving up two runs, both of which were unearned and striking out nine. Peters has now thrown 29.0 innings this season without giving up an earned run with 32 strikeouts and just nine walks.
Trevor Kirk and Richie Jimenez led the way for the UNLV offense tonight, with each collecting three hits on the night. Kirk added four RBI and ended the night just a double short of hitting for the cycle.
The Rebels jumped out to a 4-0 lead after two innings of play. Hunter Beaty led the first off with a walk before stealing second and scoring on a throwing error by Valparaiso (1-12) first baseman Ryan O'Gara. Kirk provided all the offense in the second inning, sending a 1-1 Damon McCormick offering over the left-field wall for his first homer of the season.
After three scoreless innings, UNLV pushed the lead to 9-0 with a five-run sixth. Kirk picked up his fourth RBI of the night with a triple to left center, scoring Beaty who had reached on a leadoff single through the right side. Trent Cook's sacrifice fly drove in Kirk before Cash Thomas singled in Brandon Bayardi. Bobby Martin's throwing error allowed two more Rebels to cross the plate, rounding out the scoring for the inning.
Bayardi then pushed the lead to 12-0 in the bottom of the seventh, breaking out of a recent slump by hitting his team-leading sixth home run of the season, a towering three-run shot to left field that easily cleared the scoreboard.
Valpo would get on the board in the top of the eighth, scoring both runs with two outs due to a Rebel throwing error.
Cory Ginther made his second appearance this season, allowing just one hit in the ninth.
The Rebels and Crusaders will be back in action tomorrow with a doubleheader scheduled for a 2:05 p.m. start at Wilson Stadium.
