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Rebels!
UNLV headed to NCAA Tournament.
May 24, 2003
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - UNLV captured its first MWC Tournament championship and first conference tournament title since 1996 after defeating San Diego State 14-9 today at Isotopes Park. The 18th-ranked Rebels dominated the field, outscoring opponents 49-16 over four contests, an average margin of victory of 9.75 runs per game. The Rebels will represent the MWC in the NCAA Tournament, their first NCAA appearance since 1996. Both teams combined for 30 hits in the game, most of which occurred in sixth inning when what started out as a pitcher's duel turned into a slugfest as the teams totaled 17 runs off 12 hits. With the score knotted at 1-1 entering the sixth inning, San Diego State rattled off seven runs in the top of the inning, followed by 10 UNLV runs in the bottom half of the inning. The 10 Rebel runs are an MWC Tournament record for runs in an inning. James Thompson got the win for UNLV and improved to 3-0 on the season. He pitched one inning, giving up three runs on four hits. Mike Moat took the loss for SDSU after pitching only 0.1 innings of work but giving up three runs off two hits. San Diego State wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as Landon Burt hit a single to right in the first inning. Then with two outs, first baseman Garrett Cook hit a single to left field to drive in Burt for a 1-0 lead. UNLV had the bases loaded in the first, but wasn't able to put a run on the scoreboard until the third inning when Stephen Ghutzman scored off a base hit to right by designated hitter Eddie Gill. After the 10-run sixth inning, the Rebels added three runs in the seventh and SDSU added one in the ninth to account for the final margin. For UNLV, Ghutzman went 3-for-4 with 3 RBI and Eddie Gill went 2-for-5 with four RBI and a homerun. Dobson went 3-for-5 and added two RBI to extend his tournament record to 14. Jake McLintock went 3-for-4 with two RBI and Rielly Embrey went 2-for-3 with three RBI to pace SDSU.
All-Tournament Team
Patrick Dobson, UNLV, Outfielder Jordan Swaydan, SDSU, Catcher Robert Vankirk, UNLV, Catcher Cort Wilson, Utah, Infielder Eric Nielsen, UNLV, Outfielder Brock Jacobsen, BYU, Outfielder Jake Vose, UNLV, Pitcher Eddie Gill, UNLV, Designated Hitter Anthony Gwynn, SDSU, Outfielder Brady Martinez, Utah, Relief Pitcher Landon Burt, SDSU, Outfielder MVP: Patrick Dobson, UNLV |
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