May 16, 2001
SAN DIEGO - A masterful performance from UNLV left hander Ryan Olson led the Rebels to a dramatic 1-0 victory over San Diego State in first round action at the Mountain West Conference tournament on Wednesday at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
Olson blanked the Aztecs for eight innings and outdueled SDSU southpaw Marcos Mendoza, who took the loss after allowing a run to come across on a double play ball in the second inning.
Olson allowed only seven Aztec hits in his eight innings of work, striking out four. Mendoza fanned nine and allowed only one run in 7.1 innings, but it was enough to do him in.
Rebel closer Joe Maruffi picked up his sixth save of the year after escaping the ninth inning despite SDSU putting runners on second and third. The game ended when Aztec right fielder Sean Pierce was caught trying to steal home with two out in the ninth.
In a time when pitching duels are uncommon in college baseball, Wednesday's game was the second stellar matchup between Olson and Mendoza. The two met during the regular season, with Mendoza claiming a 2-1 win over the Rebels.
Olson's shutout marked the first time SDSU has been shut out since 1999, when Long Beach State blanked the Aztecs, 6-0 in Long Beach. SDSU has not been shut out in a home game since 1993, when it was held scoreless by UNLV and lost, 5-0.
The Aztecs are now one loss away from having their season come to an end. They will take on Air Force at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The Falcons lost to Brigham Young earlier in the day, so the loser of tomorrow's game will be ousted from the double elimination tournament.