March 12, 2011
Box Score l Hartman Interview l Chambers Interview
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV baseball team used an offensive surge, totaling 18 runs and 21 hits in today's doubleheader sweep over Valparaiso University, taking game one by an 11-5 count and game two, 7-4.
The Rebels (15-3) fell behind 2-0 early in game one, but scored nine runs over the opening three innings to take control of the game. Following a rough first inning, Joe Robinson found his grove, retiring the Crusader lineup in order five of the ensuing six innings and yielded just one hit in the process. Robinson (4-0) scattered four hits and three runs over eight innings of work and struck out two to keep pace with Tanner Peters for the team lead in wins.
Trevor Kirk, Scott Dysinger and Rance Roundy combined to go 7-for-14 with seven RBI and five runs scored in the game. The Rebels tacked on two more runs in the seventh before Valparaiso (1-14) added two runs in the top of the ninth to bring the final to 11-5.
The Crusaders again took an early lead after the first inning following a Kyle Gaedele RBI double to left center. Gaedele, the team's leader in nearly every offensive category also hit a two-run homer in the third inning that put Valpo back on top, 3-2.
UNLV answered with two runs in the bottom of the first off a Trent Cook RBI single and a sacrifice fly from Richie Jimenez.
Steven Scoby's RBI single in the sixth extended the Crusader lead to 4-2 before a controversial call in the bottom of the sixth woke up the Rebel offense.
Hunter Beaty was hit by a pitch but called back to the plate for leaning into the pitch. Beaty would fly out to end the inning, resulting in first-year head coach Tim Chambers to voice his displeasure with the call after the inning, resulting in an ejection from the game and a spark in the Rebel dugout.
Max Javate retired the Crusader seventh in order, firing up the crowd in the process. Javate (1-1) threw 1.1 innings of hitless ball, picking up his first win of the season.
Ryan Scott and Danny Higa both walked to start the bottom half of the seventh. Kirk's RBI single followed by a throwing error on short stop Bobby Martin allowed UNLV to score two and tie the game at 4-4. Cook's timely RBI single gave the Rebels their first lead since the third inning. Cash Thomas singled in a run to make it 6-4 before Beaty's groundout scored Cook to make it 7-4.
Zack Hartman came in to close, allowing just one hit over the final two innings while striking out one to pick up his fifth save of the season. Hartman has given up just six hits in his last 13 innings on the mound.
The Rebels and Crusaders will close out their four-game weekend series tomorrow with first pitch slated to come at 11:05 a.m. at Wilson Stadium.
