March 16, 2013
Final Stats
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - No. 21 UNLV baseball (15-4, 1-1) used a five-run eighth inning to beat New Mexico (7-10, 1-1) 8-7 on Saturday at Earl E. Wilson Stadium. The Rebels were able to redeem themselves after Friday night's heartbreaking loss against Lobos.
Heading into the eighth the game was tied at three, but New Mexico added three runs in the top of the frame to take a 6-3 lead.
UNLV responded in the bottom half of the eighth when the Armstrong brothers led off the inning by getting on base. Joey Armstrong reached on a leadoff walk and Patrick Armstrong hit a single to left field. Joey Armstrong scored when T.J. White hit a single into center. After a beautiful sacrifice bunt by Matt McCallister, Joey Swanner single to center, scoring Patrick Armstrong. White would then score on a Justin Jones sacrifice fly to tie the game.
However, the Rebel rally was not done, as the next batter, senior Mark Shannon, hit his first home run of the year. It was a two-run shot that gave UNLV an 8-6 lead heading into the ninth.
The preseason Mountain West favorites would attempt a rally in the top of the ninth, as the Lobos led off with back-to-back singles. A costly Rebel error would load the bases with no outs. Luke Campbell grounded to T.J. White for the first out of the inning, but he was able to drive in Sam Haggerty from third. Senior Andrew Beresford, who came in for relief, ended the game with back-to-back strikeouts.
Four Rebels recorded multiple hits on the day: Swanner (2-for-4), Shannon (2-for-3), Erik VanMeetren (2-for-4) and Joey Armstrong (2-for-2)
Brady Zuniga (1-0) earned the win UNLV, despite only pitching one inning. Beresford (3) earned the save with his ninth inning performance.
The rubber match between the Rebels and the Lobos will take place on Sunday at Earl E. Wilson Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. The game will be broadcast by UNLV TV and can be watched at UNLVRebels.com.
Heading into the eighth the game was tied at three, but New Mexico added three runs in the top of the frame to take a 6-3 lead.
UNLV responded in the bottom half of the eighth when the Armstrong brothers led off the inning by getting on base. Joey Armstrong reached on a leadoff walk and Patrick Armstrong hit a single to left field. Joey Armstrong scored when T.J. White hit a single into center. After a beautiful sacrifice bunt by Matt McCallister, Joey Swanner single to center, scoring Patrick Armstrong. White would then score on a Justin Jones sacrifice fly to tie the game.
However, the Rebel rally was not done, as the next batter, senior Mark Shannon, hit his first home run of the year. It was a two-run shot that gave UNLV an 8-6 lead heading into the ninth.
The preseason Mountain West favorites would attempt a rally in the top of the ninth, as the Lobos led off with back-to-back singles. A costly Rebel error would load the bases with no outs. Luke Campbell grounded to T.J. White for the first out of the inning, but he was able to drive in Sam Haggerty from third. Senior Andrew Beresford, who came in for relief, ended the game with back-to-back strikeouts.
Four Rebels recorded multiple hits on the day: Swanner (2-for-4), Shannon (2-for-3), Erik VanMeetren (2-for-4) and Joey Armstrong (2-for-2)
Brady Zuniga (1-0) earned the win UNLV, despite only pitching one inning. Beresford (3) earned the save with his ninth inning performance.
The rubber match between the Rebels and the Lobos will take place on Sunday at Earl E. Wilson Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. The game will be broadcast by UNLV TV and can be watched at UNLVRebels.com.
