Utah averts 3-game sweep

Victoria Sun

Monday, April 30, 2001 | 9:52 a.m.

The wind wasn't whipping the way it was earlier in the weekend when the UNLV baseball team hosted Utah at Earl E. Wilson Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

UNLV first baseman David Trujillo didn't need the extra lift, and unfortunately for the Rebels, neither did the Utes.

Utah (22-23) racked up 16 hits for a 15-6 victory, avoiding a three-game sweep by the Rebels (20-26).

Trujillo went 3-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored, extending his hitting streak to a Mountain West-leading 21 games.

"I'm not being superstitious about it," Trujillo said. "People have told me don't talk about it. I'm not thinking about it. I'm just trying to win."

Utah, New Mexico and UNLV are tied for third place in the MWC at 11-13.

"This conference is very close," Trujillo said. "No one is running away except for maybe (conference leader) BYU.

"Anyone can beat anyone. We can't get down about this. We're just happy we won this series and we want to go into the conference tournament on a positive note."

The Rebels could not have been happy about their pitching Sunday, particularly in relief.

Starter Courtney Hall gave up five earned runs, eight hits and struck out two in 6 2/3 innings to take the loss, while Utah's Ryan Bailey picked up the win.

Rebel relievers Chad Harris and Brad Maloff helped the Utes extend their two-run lead entering the ninth by allowing five hits that led to seven runs.

High winds helped power both offenses in the first two games of the series -- both won by UNLV -- as each team scored more than 10 runs.

Trujillo was the only Rebel who homered on Sunday for UNLV. The Rebels had 10 hits against the Utes, who lead the conference in team batting average.

"That's not enough," Trujillo said, shaking his head. "They're a great hitting ballclub. Six runs is not going to do it against them."