Rebels post win over Gauchos in opening series

Monday, Feb. 8, 1999 | 11:13 a.m.

Thanks to a 25-14 pounding in the second game of a three-game set with UC Santa Barbara, the UNLV pitching staff came out of its season-opening series with an inflated 9.33 earned-run average.

But that has done little to change head coach Rod Soesbe's lofty preseason expectations regarding his pitchers.

In fact, his team's performance on the mound in the opening series was not totally unexpected.

"No, it really isn't," Soesbe said following the Rebels' 13-6 victory Sunday over the Gauchos at Wilson Stadium. "(Pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr.) has them throwing well but the one thing he hasn't done is bring them along too quick to where they're peaking too soon.

"We might struggle a little bit here and there until (the pitchers) get a little more innings because he's bringing them along a little slower, where last year they were in top form when we started."

While the Rebels' starters struggled in the opening series, posting an 11.77 ERA in three games, Soesbe was encouraged with the performances of a pair of long relievers in Friday's and Sunday's games.

Junior right-hander Toby Harris turned in four scoreless innings of relief in Friday's 9-5 win and senior right-hander Billy Barker shut out the Gauchos (2-4) on three hits and struck out six in four innings Sunday.

"Both of those guys could go in as starters because of the situation (where) Mel has worked them up so their pitch count, they're at 85 (pitches)," Soesbe said. "They could be starters or they could be used in long relief."

Barker (1-0) relieved starter Andy McCulloch after five innings and with the Rebels trailing 6-5. Barker quickly retired the Gauchos in order in the sixth and UNLV regained the lead in the bottom of the inning on a two-run single by junior right fielder Ryan Ludwick.

"I was pretty pleased," Barker said. "I felt I could get any of my pitches over at certain times in the count. I was on today."

Ludwick was the offensive star of the game for the Rebels, collecting five singles and four RBIs in five trips to the plate. The preseason All-American raised his average 400 points (to .600) after going 1-for-5 in the first two games of the series.

The Rebels (2-1) also played better defense Sunday behind McCulloch and Barker after making four errors in Saturday's loss. UNLV did not commit an error Sunday and second baseman Matt Stoner and shortstop Eliott Sarabia turned in outstanding plays in the latter innings that thwarted a pair of potential UCSB rallies.

"Defensively, I was real pleased for two of the games, Friday and Sunday," Soesbe said. "You can just tell the difference between the two ballgames (Saturday and Sunday); if we play defense and get pitching, then you can control the game on the bump."

The Rebels travel to traditional powers Arizona (Tuesday and Wednesday) and Pepperdine (Saturday and Sunday) before returning home on Feb. 16 for a two-game series against Lewis-Clark State at Wilson Stadium.

Neboyia, Martinez (6), Dryball (7) and Lenzi; McCulloch, Barker (6) and Hamill. WP--Barker (1-0). LP--Neboyia (0-2).

2B--UCSB: Kemper, Wright 2, VonSchell; UNLV: Pryor, Hamill, Kaup. SB--UNLV: Ludwick (1), Hertel 3 (3). CS--UCSB: LaCour. E--Bannon 3, Neboyia, Molidor. S--Sarabia. SF--LaCour. DP--UCSB 1, UNLV 1. LOB--UCSB 8, UNLV 8. A--485. T--2:48.