Utes Take Conference Series From UNLV

Sunday, March 24

Las Vegas, Nev.

1:00 PM PT

University of Utah

14-12, 2-4

UNLV

11-15, 1-5

University of Utah

UNLV

3/24/2002 12:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

March 24, 2002

Box Score

Las Vegas--The Utes defeated UNLV in game three of their three-game series, 5-3 on Sunday. Utah (14-12, 2-4 MWC) dropped game one to the Rebels (11-15, 1-5 MWC), but grabbed game two and the rubber game to take the series.

The Utes, who had given up 22 runs to the Rebels in the previous two games, used a great pitching performance by Mitch Maio to win game three. Maio (4-1-3), who tied his career high of 11 strike outs, threw a complete game to earn his fourth win. The senior retired 16 batters in a row before an UNLV roller in the top of the ninth went for an infield hit and began a Rebel come back. A double and an infield hit cut the Utah lead to 5-3. With a runner on, center fielder Matt Ciaramella chased down a deep Rebel hit on the warning track for the second out. Maio got the next batter to fly out to right field for the final out.

Offensively, Utah used a home run by Mike Westfall that bounced off the scoreboard to build a 3-1 lead heading into the eighth. In that inning, a Rebel error allowed two Ute runners to score and secure a 5-1 lead.

Nate Weese's hitting streak was put to the test in game three. Weese was hit by three pitches and had a strike out to his credit heading into his final at bat. In that at bat, the senior first baseman ripped a single to extend the streak to 21 games.

In the game, Utah connected for five runs off nine hits with no errors. UNLV scored three runs off five hits with two errors.

The Utes open play at Franklin Covey Field on Tues. against Southern Colorado at 1:00 p.m.