Box Score March 9, 2018 Box Score
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The No. 23 UNLV baseball team (13-2) notched its second shutout of the season Friday night in the nonconference series opener against the Iowa Hawkeyes (8-3) at Earl E. Wilson Stadium. The Rebels jumped out to an early 3-0 lead through two innings of play and added an insurance run in the seventh en route to a 4-0 victory.
The Scarlet & Gray was paced offensively by multiple-hit efforts -- two each -- from Bryson Stott, Dillon Johnson and Max Smith, who each had two hits. Stott scored three times in the affair, while Johnson and Nick Rodriguez knocked in two RBI apiece.
The Hawkeyes were kept off the scoreboard by a quintet of Rebel hurlers. Alan Strong (3-0) remained perfect on the year after he struck out seven in 5.1 innings against four hits and four walks. Blaze Bohall, Donavon McCrystal, Conner Woods and Bryan Menendez, who earned his fifth save of the season, combined to only allow two hits and one walk in 3.2 innings of relief.
THE TURNING POINT: In the second inning, Rebel third baseman Dillon Johnson halted a would-be scoring threat by the Hawkeyes, who had two on with one out, when he dove to his left to field a grounder and start an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play. Johnson came through for the Rebels, once again, in the home half of the frame with a two-out, two-run double down the right-field line to push the lead to 3-0.
REBEL OF THE GAME: Stott scored three of UNLV's four runs after initially reaching base via two singles and a hit-by-pitch. He was a perfect in the field, as he had three putouts and assisted on another.
QUOTABLE: "That was a great college baseball game," said head coach Stan Stolte. "Alan (Strong) and Iowa's Nick Allgeyer competed their tails off. We took some good at-bats off of him before he settled in. The two double-play balls were huge, and we played errorless ball. I thought we left some runs out thee, but they could say the same thing. That's a gritty team we're playing and we'll have to be ready to go tomorrow again.
STAT OF THE GAME: Stott and Johnson combined for a 4-for-8 evening at the plate with three runs and two RBI.
REBEL NOTES:
- The Rebels' 13-2 record is the second best in program history; only trials 1971's 14-1 mark.
- The Rebels' 11-1 home record is tied for the best through 12 games in program history since the 1971, '73 and 2014 seasons.
- The Rebels are 10-2 in nonconference games this season.
- The Rebels have produced eight or more hits in 12 of 15 games this season.
- The Rebels have outhit their opponents in 12 of 15 games this season, but have won 13 of those.
- The Rebels' four runs Friday were the lowest scored in a victory this season.
- Smith extended his hitting- and reached-base streaks to 14 games, and is hitting .429 (24-for-56) during this stretch.
- Smith produced his ninth multiple-hit game of the season Friday with his two hits.
- Stott produced his 10th multiple-hit game of the season Friday with two hits.
- Strong has throw at least 5.0 innings at struck out a minimum of six batters in all four starts, and allowed two or fewer runs in three of those.
- Menendez has recorded either a win (two) or save (four) in six relief outings this season, with 12 strikeouts in 10.1 innings pitched.
UP NEXT: UNLV and Iowa returns to Earl E. Wilson Stadium Saturday at 2:05 pm for game two of their nonconference series. The two close out the three-game set Sunday at 1:05 pm. The Rebels will then welcome the Utah Utes to town Monday for a 2:05 pm affair.
SEASON TICKETS: UNLV still has 18 home games remaining to be played at Earl E. Wilson Stadium and fans can purchase their 2018 Rebel baseball season tickets online at UNLVTickets.com or by calling 702-739-FANS (3267). Season tickets are $90 for adults (13 and older), while seniors (62-plus), faculty and staff, and alumni are $75.
SINGLE-GAME TICKETS: Fans can purchase single-game tickets online and in-advance for only $5; however, they must be purchased through UNLVTickets.com three hours prior to first pitch. Single-game tickets are priced at $8 for adults, $6 for senior/faculty/staff and $4 for groups of 15 or more. As always, UNLV students (with Rebel Card) and kids 12 and under are always free.
