SURPRISE, Ariz. (UNLVrebels.com) – The UNLV baseball team (1-1) faced off against no. 7-ranked Oregon State (2-0) on Saturday morning, competing in the second day of the Sanderson Ford Collegiate Baseball Classic. The Hustlin' Rebels looked to create a win streak after taking down IU the day prior, but fell to the Beavers on a final score of 16-0 (seven innings). 
 
Despite only 2.2 innings of work, sophomore LJ Mercurius' first start on the mound this season producing five strikeouts. Caden Byers and Michael Taylor each came in for some relief during the contest, Alex Navarrete producing two full innings on the mound and fanning three batters of his own.
 
The Rebels totaled five hits and three walks during the match, all the hits stemming from the starting lineup. Cooper Sheff and Dean Toigo registered one hit and one walk each in their plate appearances, Sheff shooting a single up the middle of the field in the third inning and Toigo putting his ball through the right side of the field in the sixth. 
 
The Scarlet & Gray were able to pressure with runners in scoring position multiple times throughout the game, despite not being able to convert any runs. After singling in the top of the 2nd, Cole Koniarsky pushing a single through left-center field before Gunnar Myro shot a single through the right side. After drawing a walk in the top of the 4th, Toigo was able to take advantage on a failed pickoff attempt and slide into second base.
 
This game today was just too fast for us besides the fact of how talented OSU is," commented head coach Stan Stolte. "They controlled every phase of the game. You play in that type of atmosphere, that's what happens. It'll toughen us up in the long run."
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Mercurius' five strikeouts marks his highest K/9 rate as a starter since arriving to UNLV last season, his Saturday performance notching a 20.45 K/9 rate.
- The Beavers' no. 7-ranking marked the highest rank the Rebels have played against since the 2023 season. 

UP NEXT
The UNLV baseball team still have two more games left in the weekend schedule, next taking on Xavier on Sunday, Feb. 16. The Rebels' match will be the late game for the third day of the Sanderson Ford Collegiate Baseball Classic, kicking off at 4 p.m. PT. To get updates on all things Hustlin' Rebels, links to the season's games can be found on the team's schedule page. You can also get live updates on how the Scarlet & Gray are faring on the team's X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook and Instagram accounts.