Loss hits home for Trujillo

Victoria Sun

Monday, May 7, 2001 | 10:21 a.m.

Even after David Trujillo extended his hitting streak to 25 games, tying the Mountain West Conference record, he could barely muster a smile.

Though Trujillo went 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored, the Rebels lost to New Mexico 9-5 at Earl E. Wilson Stadium on a scorching Sunday afternoon.

Trujillo, a junior college transfer whose hometown is Albuquerque, said he wasn't recruited by the Lobos.

"It's a tough loss," Trujillo said. "I know we battled hard, it just wasn't enough.

"It hurts me even more to lose to these guys. I grew up watching them."

The loss dropped UNLV to 21-29 and into a tie with Utah for fourth place in the conference at 12-15. The Lobos improved to 23-30 and jumped to third in the conference at 13-14.

UNLV starter Courtney Hall gave up two earned runs and struck out four in 6 2/3 solid innings for a no decision while Doug Thornton (1-2) picked up the loss.

The Rebels' injury-ridden bullpen continued to struggle.

Tied at 5-5 entering the ninth, New Mexico's Aaron Stanley hit a high bloop single to right field off Thornton, who was subsequently relieved by freshman Robbie Van. Stanley stole second and third base and scored when UNLV catcher Brad Beasley tried to throw him out at third.

Van recorded one out, but gave up two runs on two walks. Joe Maruffi, plagued with a groin injury, closed out the game allowing the final run on a single and a two-run double.

The Rebels used starter Giovanni Pupo, who has been out since late March with tendinitis, to relieve Hall. But he walked two batters before being relieved by Thornton. UNLV closer Jake Gann is also hurt.

"We've lost our closer; most of our pitching staff is banged up and hurt," UNLV coach Rod Soesbe said. "We tried.

"They just seemed to be able to take advantage of every mistake we made."

UNLV tied the game 5-5 with three runs in the seventh inning.

Beasley, playing in his final UNLV home game, singled, then scored when New Mexico center fielder Mark Okano threw the ball into the dugout on Joe Jacobitz's single, advancing Jacobitz to third. Trujillo followed by crushing winning pitcher Jeremy DeYapp's 3-2 slider over the left-field fence.

Beasley is the lone senior on the team that has been with the program for five years. His final game here was a frustrating one.

"You want to go out your last home game with a win," Beasley said. "It's disappointing the way we lost it."

UNLV will get one more shot this weekend when it plays its final regular season series at BYU before the conference tournament starts in San Diego.