May 9, 2004
San Diego State scored five times in the first inning and never looked back in a 14-8 win over UNLV Sunday afternoon at Earl E. Wilson Stadium in Las Vegas. Outfielder Jake McLintock led the Aztec attack with a triple, two doubles, three runs scored and three RBI. In addition, Landon Burt (3 runs, 2 RBI) and Jordan Swaydan (1 run) had three hits apiece.
The win improved SDSU to 27-26 overall and 14-8 in the Mountain West Conference. It also moved the Aztecs into second place, percentage points ahead of New Mexico and a game-and-a-half behind the Rebels. UNLV, meanwhile, saw its record fall to 29-19 (16-7 MWC).
In the top of the first, Landon Burt led off with a single to right, stole second, and scored on a pair of wild pitches by Rebel starter Matt Luca. A one-out double by Rielly Embrey and a walk to Brock Ungricht set the stage of a two-RBI single by Josh Hill.
After Jordan Swaydan was hit by pitch with two outs to load the bases, Kyle Floquet hit a grounder to the right of first that first baseman Eddie Gill tossed to Luca, who dropped the throw for an error that allowed two runs to score.
Freshman right-hander Bruce Billings got his first weekend start of the year and held the potent UNLV offense to three runs over his 5.1 innings. Although the Rebels touched him for eight hits, he was able to consistently work out of trouble as the home side stranded 11 runners over the first six frames.
Billings recorded the win, his third straight, to improve to 4-1 on the season. UNLV's Luca, who went the first five innings, suffered the loss to even his record at 5-5.
Up next for San Diego State is a short break from conference action as it hosts California for a single game on Tuesday, May 11, at 6:00 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The Aztecs will host their final league home stand of the season when Brigham Young visits SDSU for a three-game series beginning Wednesday, May 12.
San Diego State 14, UNLV 8SDSU 501 010 232 - 14 17 1UNLV 000 201 212 - 8 15 3Billings, Pace (6), Schroyer (8) and SwaydanLuca, Minor (6), Scheinbaum (8), Clatterbuck (9) and Tellam, Ross (9)W - Billings (4-1)L - Luca (5-5)Sv - NoneHR - UNLV: Tellam (3)Att. - 509Time - 3:22