Baseball Rallies In Ninth For Win At UNLV

Feb. 22, 2001

Baseball America Poll

The UNLV baseball team (4-8) lost 10-6 to 10th ranked Clemson (3-1). The Rebels held a two-run lead in the ninth, but watched it melt away behind a six run final inning by the Tigers.

UNLV’s Giovanni Pupo pitched eight innings, giving up six runs on seven hits with five strikeouts. C.J. Martin (1-1) gave up three runs on two hits in the ninth for the loss. Jared Bonnell and Brad Maloff combined to finish the inning. Bonnell gave up one run on three hits. Maloff recorded the final two outs with one strikeout.

Clemson’s Steven Jackson pitched 3.1 innings and gave up one run on four hits. Paul Harrelson (1-0) earned the win, pitching 2.2 innings with only one hit and one strikeout.

UNLV broke out of a 1-1 tie in the sixth with five runs. Tony Schuler began the inning reaching on a hit-by-pitch. He advanced to third on a Zach Strong single up the middle and eventually scored on a wild pitch. Strong scored on a Brent Johnson double to left center, then a John Cruz single to left field scored Johnson and Garett Shitanishi, who reached on a single to the pitcher. Joe Jacobitz later tripled to center scoring Cruz.

Clemson scored three runs in the eighth, two from a Chad Coder homerun over the left field wall.

Down two in the ninth, Clemson rallied with six runs and the eventual victory. Seth Miller started the inning, reaching on an error by third baseman Strong, followed by a Ryan Riley hit-by-pitch loaded the bases and a Casey Stone single drove in the first two runs of the inning. Khalil Greene tripled driving in Stone and Riley for the go-ahead runs. Jarrod Schmidt and Zane Green also went on to score, giving Clemson the 10-6 victory.

Joe Jacobitz led UNLV offensively, going 3-for-5 with one RBI. Clemson was led by Chad Coder who went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and one run scored.

Clemson and Oregon State open Friday’s play at 11:00 a.m. UNLV and Clemson follow with a second game at 3:05 p.m.