Utes Use Long Ball To Edge UNLV, 12-11

Sunday, March 25

Salt Lake City

1:00 PM MT

University of Utah

UNLV

3/25/2001 12:00 AM | Baseball

March 25, 2001

Box Score

SALT LAKE CITY - The University of Utah baseball team (16-12, 6-3 MWC) used a seven run fifth inning and five long balls to take the three-game series, 2-1, in a 12-11 win against Nevada-Las Vegas (12-17, 4-5 MWC) at Franklin-Covey Field.

Brit Pannier started the home run fest with a solo shot in the second inning to put Utah up 1-0. In the top of the third, UNLV went ahead 2-1 after taking advantage of two doubles and a Ute error. The Utes answered back with three runs in their half inning. Donald Hawes led off with a solo blast to left field. Donnie Saba singled and came home when Chris Shelton hit a two-run bomb to the 420 foot mark in center field. UNLV scored one in the fourth and four in the fifth for a 7-4 advantage.

Utah broke out for the big fifth inning to lead for good. Saba drew a walk and Adam Castleton reached on a Rebel error. Nate Weese cleared the bases with a three-run home run to right. Shelton went to the deepest part of the park again and ended up with a triple off the wall, nearly delivering his second home run to straight away center. Sam Swenson walked and Pannier drew an intentional pass to load the bases. Tommy Maestas then singled in Shelton and Swenson. Saba earned a free pass to load the bases again. Castleton and Weese were hit by back-to-back pitches to force two more runs. The rally was killed by a questionable punch out on the inside of the plate with Shelton up.

Both teams scored one in the sixth, Utah's coming off another solo shot, this one to left center off the bat of Swenson. UNLV made things close with three runs in the seventh, before Matt McAfee was called on in relief and put out the fire in two-and-two-thirds innings, surrendering only one hit.

Utah plays a doubleheader Tuesday, March 27, against Mesa State starting at noon at Franklin-Covey Field.