University of Nevada Las Vegas
Saint Mary's
3/6/2025 1:58:00 PM | Baseball
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SCHEDULEÂ (PST)
Friday, Mar. 7Â at 1 p.m. vs. Saint Mary's
Saturday, Mar. 8 at 11 a.m. vs. Utah Tech
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MATCHUPÂ HISTORY
Overall vs. Utah Tech: 3-0
Overall vs. Saint Mary's: 2-0
Last Meeting (UTT): UNLV won both games in consecutive days, 6-5 and 7-2.
Last Meeting (SMC): UNLV won both games in consecutive days, 8-7 and 12-2 (7 inn.)
BROADCAST INFO:Â The official livestream for the game will be broadcasted on WAC International. Links to broadcasts as well as live stats are available on unlvrebels.com/sports/baseball/schedule.Â
THIS SEASON:Â The Hustlin' Rebels have been able to produce two batters with a batting average of .350 or higher through the first couple weeks of the season, JP Hefft (.404) and Cole Koniarsky (.378) representing the highest averages. Hefft's average ranks him sixth among all Mountain West batters in the early season, Koniarsky just outside the top-10 with an 12th-place spot. Their batting averages have led them both to sit in the top five ranks in hits for the conference, Hefft being second (21) and Konairsky being tied at fifth (17).
UNLV holds several other top marks within the conference, Dean Toigo holding top marks in the Mountain West in RBIs and home runs. The senior outfielder shares the top spot in the Mountain West in home runs on the season (5), sitting fourth in RBIs (15). Cooper Sheff also earned his spot among the top in the conference hitting home runs, tied third in the league (4).
Alex Overbay stands as the top Rebel closer through the opening weeks of the season, the sophomore picking up both of his wins so far in 2025 against #25/#23 Cincinnati. Through his five outings, the Tumwater, Wash., native has pitched 8.2 innings and has collected 15 strikeouts. Sophomore starter Carson Lane leads the Rebels with 21 K's of his own, currently tied second in the Mountain West.
Cooper Sheff was honored as the latest Mountain West Freshman of the Week, producing four home runs in a five-game stretch last week. The first Freshman honor for the Rebels since Reese Lueck in the 2023 season, he totaled a slugging percentage of 1.111 and a batting average of .455. The Las Vegas native collected nine RBIs and eight hits during the stretch, his home run against Milwaukee being the final run and difference maker in the 4-3 win.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS:Â The Gaels are currently running a five-game win streak, all the games being against MW opponents in Fresno State, San Diego State and San Jose State. Saint Mary's feature seven batters hitting .300 or higher, Diego Castellanos hitting a team-high .386 average with Aiden Taurek right behind him at .385. The Gaels also boast one of the most sound defenses in the country, tanking 17th among NCAA DI programs in fielding percentage at .984 on the season.
The Trailblazers have plenty of threats of their own on the roster, Taian Kelly owning a 1.59 ERA over four appearances for Utah Tech this season as a reliever. Kyle McDaniel has amassed 20 hits so far this season on a team-high 28 total bases, consists of three doubles, a triple and a home run wiith five walks.
NEW FOR 2025: The Rebels feature 23 newcomers wearing the Scarlet & Gray heading into the new season, three of those student-athletes being marked as true freshman on the roster and 20 transferring to Las Vegas.
Of those 20 transfers, the Scarlet & Gray have two pairs of student-athletes to the roster arriving from the same institution, including Nicky Garritano and Michael Cruz from CSN.The duo helped lead the Coyotes to become on of the premiere JUCO programs, Garritano earning the 2024 NJCAA DI Baseball Defensive Player of the Year honor. Also being a two-time NJCAA DI Baseball ABCA & Rawlings Gold Glove recipient, both him and Cruz hold multiple All-Region selections in Region 18.
A few of UNLV's fresh faces earned some time on the diamond during the Rebels' scrimmage last weekend, the team having plenty of options to utilize throughout the season.Senior outfielder Dean Toigo led Hope International to their first-ever win in the Avista NAIA World Series as Toigo drove in two runs during the contest. Dwight Allen II was part of the 2022 Georgia squad that advanced to the NCAA Regional after appearing in 42 games that season and Colton Sundloff owns postseason experience from his time at Oklahoma pitching in the NCAA Super Regional.
Of the Rebel freshman trio, two arrive from California and Carl LaGrone coming from McQueen High School in Las Vegas. LaGrone ranked as the top LHP in Nevada, according to PerfectGame.com, Demetriz Lewis earning an All-Tournament nod after his performance in the 17U National Championship. Coming from Clovis North High School in Fresno (Calif.), Jayden Hertel picked up First Team All-TRAC recognition as a senior.
UNLV were voted tied for fourth in the Mountain West Preseason Poll prior to the start of the season, tied with New Mexico and San Diego State. The Rebels earned a first-place team vote during the poll, Paul Myro IV claiming All-Mountain West Preseason Team honors.
