|
|
|
Ninth-Inning Rally Leads No. 6 UNLV Past No. 3 San Diego State
May 20, 2008 FORT WORTH, Texas - UNLV scored four runs in the top half of the ninth inning to secure a 6-2 victory over San Diego State in the first game of the Phillips 66 Mountain West Conference Baseball Championship at Lupton Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, on Tuesday afternoon. With bases loaded and a full count in the top half of the ninth inning - Braden Walker came up with the biggest hit of the afternoon for the Rebels as the UNLV catcher lined a single to center-field scoring both J.J. Sferra and Michael Brenly. The Rebels added a pair of insurance runs to take the score to 6-2 when Rance Roundy and Walker both scored on a San Diego State fielding error. Following five no-hit innings by San Diego State hurler James McLaughlin - the Runnin' Rebels were able to plate a pair of runs in the top of the sixth inning. Steve Rinaudo started out the frame with a single to left field then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by shortstop Anthony Morel. Following a single to left-field by second baseman Bryan Resnick and an outfield throwing error - Rinaudo scored from second to give UNLV a 1-0 advantage. UNLV scored its second run of the frame when Resnick came home from second base on a double down the left-field line by J.J. Sferra. San Diego State came back to cut the scoring deficit in half as the Aztecs opened up the bottom of the sixth inning with a lead-off home run by Nick Romero. It was the 12th home run and 61st RBI on the season for Romero - which are both highs for San Diego State. Romero finished the afternoon with a perfect 4-for-4 from the plate with two runs scored and one RBI. The Aztecs tied the game in the bottom of the eighth inning when Romero led off the frame with a single up the middle then advanced to second on a ground out by Garett Green. Brandon Glover tied the game with a single up the middle off of UNLV reliever Michael Goodman - plating Romero from second base. Despite giving up the tying run - Goodman earned the victory and improved his overall record to 2-4 on the season as the UNLV reliever tossed 0.2 innings of action. UNLV starter Corey Hales received the no decision as the Rebels hurler tossed 7.1 innings - allowing two runs on six hits while striking out three hitters. McLaughlin earned the loss and dropped his record to 3-2 on the season after tossing 8.2 innings of action - allowing six runs - on five hits and striking out six batters.
UNLV improved its record to 22-35 on the season while San Diego State dropped to 30-27 overall.
|
|
