Nevada completes weekend sweep over UNLV

Nevada sweeps UNLV with defense

BY ROB RENAUD

Appeal Sports Writer

UNLV took an early lead Sunday, but couldn't hold it as the Nevada Wolf Pack managed to score two late runs and capture a 3-2 victory and a two-game sweep of its in-state rival from the south.

The Rebels had plenty of scoring opportunities but couldn't capitalize, stranding 10 runners as the Nevada defense came up with big plays at key times. Three UNLV runners were cut down at home plate, twice to keep the tying run from scoring.

"This game was won on defense," said Nevada coach Gary Powers. "We had a nice catch out in centerfield in the first inning and some good plays at the corners. (Right fielder Shawn) Scobee threw two guys out at home and (shortstop Leo) Radkowski got one there too. If one of those plays doesn't get made, we don't win."

Nevada dodged a bullet in the second inning when UNLV could manage just one run on four hits and a Wolf Pack error. After designated hitter Chad Miller started the inning with a single to left, Ryan Bird followed with a soft liner just past the outstretched glove of Nevada third baseman Ryan Foley.

Zach Borba's single to left scored Miller from second and the runners advanced when the throw from left bounced short and then off of catcher Baker Krukow's chest protector.

After Keith Smith hit into a 5-3 groundout, UNLV catcher Michael Brenly hit a flare into short right. Scobee charged the ball and came up throwing after fielding the short hop, and his throw beat Bird to the plate by two steps. Ryan Rodriguez got Blake Gailen swinging to end the threat.

UNLV loaded the bases in the third with one out, but Bird hit a line shot right at Nevada first baseman Terry Walsh, who stepped on the bag for an unassisted double play.

The Wolf Pack tied the game in the fourth. Scobee led off with a sharp grounder past third that rolled into the corner for a double. He advanced on Walsh's tap back to the mound and scored when Krukow grounded out.

The top of the sixth saw UNLV get runners to second and third with one out, but Radkowski gunned down Miller at the dish to save a run.

Nevada took the lead in the bottom of the sixth. Second baseman David Ciarlo drove the ball to the snow-covered warning track in right-center and cruised into third standing up. DH Matt Bowman of Dayton followed with a single past a diving third baseman to pick up the RBI and the 2-1 lead.

The Wolf Pack added an insurance run in the seventh with pinch-runner Trevor O'Sullivan scoring on a double by Radkowski.

UNLV narrowed the lead to 3-2 in the eighth, when Bird singled in Borba.

The Rebels had one more scoring threat in the top of the ninth when CJ Lang was hit by a pitch and stole second. Rebel first baseman Chris Bonnell hit a ground ball into the hole on the right side and Lang tried to score, but Scobee was there for Nevada again, throwing Lang out at the plate to save the win.

In addition to the defense, Powers was happy with the way his pitching staff performed during the cold weekend series.

"We only walked one batter in 18 innings. That's outstanding under these conditions. The pitchers were pounding strikes. That helps the defense behind them. They have a good understanding of the things we have to do to stay in a ballgame."

With the win, the Wolf Pack improves to 3-5. Nevada travels to Stanford and the Sunken Diamond on Tuesday for a game that has been rescheduled from today.