May 24, 2006
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - UNLV scored three times in the top of the seventh to break a 4-4 deadlock en route to an 8-5 victory over San Diego State at the Mountain West Conference begin held at Earl E. Wilson Stadium in Las Vegas. The loss eliminated the Aztecs from the league's postseason tourney as they conclude their 2006 campaign with a record of 23-36. The Rebels, meanwhile, improved to 28-29 on the year as they move on in the championship event.
SDSU struck first in the contest, taking a 1-0 lead in the first as Quintin Berry walked, was sacrificed to second and came home on Paul Smyth's double to dead center field.
Aztec junior right-hander Bruce Billings sailed through the Rebel lineup over the first two innings, but ran into problems in the third as he was touched up for four runs on three hits and three bases on balls. UNLV got back-to-back RBI singles from CJ Lang and Keith Smith, a bases-loaded walk to Chad Miller and a sac fly off the bat of Zach Borba to take a 4-1 lead.
SDSU responded immediately, getting a solo home run from Paul Smyth in the bottom of the inning, then tying the contest in the fourth with two more to make the score 4-4. In that fourth inning rally, Tim O'Brien and Jordan Swaydan opened with consecutive singles to put runners on first and third. O'Brien scored and Swaydan went to second on a wild pitch, with the latter scoring on ground out to third by Berry.
Billings ended his night when Adam Simon came on in relief to start the seventh with the score still knotted at four. UNLV proceeded to score three times off the Aztec closer with the big blow a two-run triple to right by Miller.
The Aztec got one back in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI single by Smyth, but the Rebels added regained their three-run in their next at bat for the final 8-5 score line.
UNLV starter Kevin Skogley went six innings to pick up the win and improve to 3-6 with Jabe Beard going the final three to record his fifth save. SDSU's Simon took the loss as he saw his record drop to 0-7.
Paul Smyth ended his night with three hits (including a double and home run), two runs scored and two RBI while Jordan Swaydan had a pair of hits and scored once as both players made their final appearance for San Diego State. In addition, designated hitter Mike Willeford contributed two doubles and a run.
UNLV 8, San Diego State 5UNLV 004 000 310 - 8 12 1SDSU 101 200 100 - 5 9 1Skogley, Beard (7) and ZeregaBillings, Simon (7) and SwaydanW - Skogley (3-6)L - Simon (0-7)Sv - Beard (5)HR - SDSU: Smyth-11 (3rd-none on)Att. - 193Time - 3:00