April 3, 2005
LAS VEGAS - UNLV scored four times in the bottom of the seventh to negate a big San Diego State comeback as it defeated SDSU, 16-15, Sunday afternoon at Earl E. Wilson Stadium in Las Vegas in a game that was played in winds blowing consistently in the 30-40 mile per hour range. The Aztecs had rebounded from a nine-run deficit to take a 14-12 lead in the top of the seventh, but the bullpen couldn't keep the Rebel offense in check as the home side scored four times in the same inning, keyed by a three-run homer by shortstop Zeke Parraz.
In completing a three-game sweep of the Aztecs, the Rebels improved to 14-18 overall and 8-1 in the Mountain West Conference, tied atop the standings with Brigham Young. In losing for the third straight day, SDSU fell to 7-20 overall and 2-4 in league play.
UNLV scored six times in the second inning, taking advantage of SDSU starter Ben Coon's loss of control. After a leadoff double by Justin Tellam, Coon walked the next three batters on 12 pitches to bring home the first run. A two-RBI single by designated hitter Tyler Beranek was followed by another four pitch walk to re-load the bases and end Coon's afternoon on the mound.
Andres Esquibel came on in relief and retired the first two batters he faced. However, he then gave up run-scoring singles to Zeke Parraz and Tellam as the Rebels scored three more times in the inning.
UNLV extended its led to 9-0 in the next frame on back-to-back homers by Chris Bonnell and Matt Fry plus an RBI triple by Mike Cruz.
The Aztecs got back in the game in the top of the fourth, scoring four runs on five hits. The big blows in the inning were a two-RBI single by Jordan Swaydan and an RBI double by Quintin Berry. The two-bagger by Berry lengthened his current hitting streak to 16 games.
SDSU then closed to within a run at 9-8 as Jake McLintock launched a grand slam over the right center field fence in the next inning. However, the Rebels came right back with three runs in their half of the inning to make it a 12-8 game.
The Aztecs took their first lead of the day in the seventh, scoring six times on three hits and a pair of UNLV errors. Left fielder Joseph Scaperotta had a two-run double while Quintin Berry and Brock Ungricht also drove in a run apiece in the inning.
The Rebels then scored four times off SDSU reliever Will Miller, who took the loss to fall to 0-2 on the season. Matt Wagner (2-2) was credited with the win while Alex Chalfant picked up his second save of the weekend and second of the year.
For the Aztecs, four players finished the afternoon with three hits apiece: Jake McLintock, Jordan Swaydan, Tim O'Brien and Brock Ungricht.
UNLV 16, San Diego State 14SDSU 000 440 601 - 15 16 2UNLV 063 030 40x - 16 15 4Coon, Esquibel (2), Miller (5), Campbell (7) and SwaydanRodriguez, Huseman (6), Wagner (7), Chalfant (8), Tabeek (9) and TellamW - Wagner (2-2)L - Miller (0-2)Sv - Tabeek (3)HR - UNLV: Bonnell (4), Fry (1), Parraz (1) SDSU: McLintock (1)Time - 3:35Att. - 428