LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV Rebels return to Las Vegas and Earl E. Wilson Stadium to kick off a nine-game homestand Tuesday afternoon against the CSUN Matadors. Tuesday's matinee is slated for a 2:05 pm first pitch.
During this lengthy stretch, which will span 13 days, UNLV will square off against two Big West foes (CSUN and UC Riverside) three times as well as six more versus Mountain West competition (UNR and New Mexico).
Prior to last weekend's conference contests at San Jose State, the Rebels had played six straight at home to the tune of a 5-1 mark. With the addition of the nine-game homestand, UNLV will play 15 of 18 at Earl E. from March 5 to March 31.
Historically speaking, UNLV and CSUN first squared off in 1976 and have played a total of 52 times, with the Golden State squad leading the series 27-25. The Matadors won the last meeting, 7-5 on March 7, 2018 in Northridge, and have won six straight in the series and nine of the last 10.
FOLLOW ALONG
Fans can follow Tuesday's nonconference game between UNLV and CSUN through live stats and Twitter (@UNLVbaseball). Additionally, the game will be streamed live via the Mountain West Network. Links to both stats and the video stream can be found at UNLVRebels.com.
ON DECK: MARUCCI BASEBALL WEEKEND
The UNLV Rebels remain in Las Vegas and Earl E. Wilson Stadium for the remainder of March with six more games. The UNR Wolf Pack will come to town Friday to begin a three-game, Mountain West series, with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 pm. Saturday's affair is also a 6:05 pm start, while Sunday's finale is slated for 1:05 pm.
Marucci, which is UNLV's official athletic equipment supplier for its baseball and softball programs, will have representatives on-site for equipment demonstrations and testing, while merchandise will be available for purchase. Additionally, Marucci will have engraved bats available for individuals that sign up to support the Rebel Athletic Fund's "Drive For 5" philanthropic campaign
SILVER STATE SERIES
The UNLV Rebels and UNR Wolf Pack rekindle their rivalry on the diamond this weekend with three games in Las Vegas and Earl E. Wilson Stadium, while the two squads will square off in the northern portion of the state three times in mid-April (18-20).
Not only do these games count towards the Mountain West standings, but also for the Silver State Series presented by IBEC and Nevada Donor Network. To date, the Rebels leads the all-encompassing athletic and academic competition between the NCAA Division I programs in the state by three points, 13.5 to 10.5.
Dating back to the 2012-13 academic year, UNLV has beaten UNR five times (2013-16, 2018) and tied once (2017).
STAYIN' HOME
After hosting CSUN and UNR this week, the UNLV Rebels continue with a two-game, nonconference series against UC Riverside on March 26-27 (Tuesday at 6:05 pm/Wednesday at 2:05 pm) and three more in Mountain West play against New Mexico on March 29-31 (Friday and Saturday at 6:05 pm/Sunday at 1:05 pm).
STAYIN' AWAY FROM THE BAY
The UNLV Rebels are 11-10 overall, but if you subtract the six games they have played in the Bay Area at then-No. 5 Stanford (Feb. 23-24) and San Jose State (March 15-17), the team would sit 10-5 on the year.
All nine games that the Rebels have played away from Las Vegas and Earl E. Wilson Stadium have taken place in California to the tune of a 3-6 mark, with a 2-1 showing at Fresno State (March 1-3).
Moreover, UNLV has played one-run affairs in seven of those nine contested in the Golden State. Each game in the Stanford and SJSU series were decided by one run, while one of the three at Fresno State was a one-run tilt. The other two against the Bulldogs were three- and four-run games.
LOOKING BACK
The UNLV Rebels were swept by the San Jose State Spartans in San Jose, California, last weekend, with all three games decided by one run each. The Rebels took a 1-0 lead into the ninth in the opener of the series, but allowed two runs to the home side for the come-from-behind win. In game two, SJSU jumped out to a 6-0 lead with all six runs coming between the fourth and sixth innings, but had to hold off a late push by the Rebels, who cut the deficit to one run before losing 6-5. In game three, UNLV built a 6-0 lead through two innings, but it wasn't mean to be as SJSU chipped away and eventually tied the affair at 6-all before getting the go-ahead run in the eighth to win 7-6.
The Rebel offense was paced by Dillon Johnson and his .500 batting average, which came off a 6-for-12 showing at the plate with three runs. Johnson also had a .500 slugging percentage and .571 on-base percentage.
Jack-Thomas Wold hit .364 with four hits, two of which went for extra bases with one double and one home run. Wold also produced five RBI and scored three runs. He amassed a .727 slugging percentage and a .429 on-base percentage.
On the mound, Cameron Jabara was the hard-luck loser in Friday's outing, as he had shut out the Spartans through eight innings of play. Ryan Hare took the loss in game two, while Jackson Cofer suffered defeat in the finale, giving up the go-ahead run in the eighth.
