UNLV Beat up on Southern Utah

Thursday, Feb. 5, 1998 | 9:03 a.m.

As UNLV's primary power sources, Kevin Eberwein and Ryan Ludwick aren't seeing a lot of good pitches. But it didn't stop the pair from putting a charge into the Rebels' offense.

Eberwein and Ludwick were a combined 4-for-9 with two home runs and eight RBIs Wednesday as the Rebels trounced Southern Utah 17-1 in a game called after 6 1/2 innings due to college baseball's new "mercy rule."

Eberwein was 3-for-4 with a two-run home run, a double and a single and scored four runs. Ludwick, who had just one hit prior to Wednesday, belted a towering grand slam in the fourth to stake UNLV starter Bryan Gidge to a 15-1 lead.

"They're still not throwing me and (Ludwick) a lot of pitches but the pitches they are leaving there for us, we're taking our hacks at them," Eberwein said.

Ludwick, a 1998 preseason All-American who hit .354 and led the Rebels in home runs (16) and RBIs (68) as a freshman, admitted his early-season slump was starting to get to him.

"I was real frustrated but that hit today, it took a lot out of my mind," Ludwick said. "All the accolades early this year got to my head a little bit and I just need to go out and play the way I can play.

"Getting a big hit like that takes a lot of pressure off."

The Rebels took the pressure off Gidge, the junior right-hander who improved to 2-0 with a complete-game effort, by scoring four runs in the first inning, four in the second, three in the third and four more in the fourth.

Gidge, who allowed one run on a solo home run by Thunderbirds left fielder Brian Kruse in the third inning, gave up seven hits, struck out seven and walked two in seven innings.

"Gidge threw a good ballgame (even though) he didn't have real good velocity but he made good pitches and was in control the whole time," said Rebels head coach Rod Soesbe. "The kids played pretty well, they had some good (at-bats) and played good defense.

"We were a little disappointed that we couldn't go nine innings because we wanted to throw a couple more guys out of the bullpen ... but (Southern Utah) didn't want to (continue) and we're not out here to embarrass somebody."

The Rebels (3-1) resume the home stand Friday at 3:05 p.m. with the first of three games against Utah. The Rebels and Utes also play Saturday and Sunday at 1:05 p.m.