LAS VEGAS (UNLVrebels.com) – The UNLV baseball team (19-18, 7-12 MW) opened the weekend on Friday night against UNR (16-18, 10-8) for the first game of the Silver State Series at Earl E. Wilson Stadium, presented by the America First Credit Union. The offense wouldn't run in favor of the Rebels, falling on a final score of 4-1.
The Scarlet & Gray were actually the first to score in the contest,
Chase Ditmar slapping the ball just far enough in the infield for
Austin Kryszczuk to score on a hit-and-run play from third base in the bottom of the second inning. The graduate student found the bag after earning a double down the left-field side to open the inning, later moving to third on a sacrifice bunt from
Brendan O'Sullivan.
After quickly resolving their lead in the top of the third, the Wolf Pack would halt UNLV's offense from then-on and continue to score runs in the top of the fifth and sixth innings.
Parker Schmidt was the only Rebel batter to register a hit from the bottom of the fourth and on, the senior picking up a triple with one out in the bottom of the fourth and trying to muster a rally in the ninth off a two-out single to center field.
The Rebel pitching staff showcased a solid outing despite the result,
Austin Cates picking up eight strikeouts and only one walk across the seven innings of work on the mound. Freshman
LJ Mercurius made his 10th appearance of the season and closed the final two innings of the contest without allowing a run, picking up a pair of strikeouts of his own while only allowing two hits in the game.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Schmidt's second triple of the year helped bump his season average to .352, earning a walk in the game to go two-for-three on the day.
- Cates' eight strikeouts now earn him his fourth-consecutive start with eight or more Ks on the mound, the seventh time this season he's picked up more strikeouts than innings pitched in a game.
- UNLV's run-streak moves up to 191-straight games, extending their streak of avoiding that shutout the dates back to the 2021 season.
UP NEXT
The Rebels will lock in again with UNR for the second game of the weekend tomorrow, facing off on Saturday, April 20. The Scarlet & Gray will look to get some momentum with a first-pitch time set at 6:05 p.m. PT.
