Tuesday, March 25, 2003 | 9:08 a.m.
Keen recruiting and offseason conditioning have transformed UNLV's baseball team into the collegiate Bronx Bombers of the West.
A year ago, only three players socked at least six home runs. Not even halfway through this season, second-year coach Jim Schlossnagle has six Rebels who have slammed at least six homers.
UNLV has hit 46 home runs, and it's on track to threaten the team single-season record of 107, set in 1986.
"It really is an emphasis we've tried to make in recruiting," Schlossnagle said. "Last year, we didn't pitch great, but we did well enough where we should have been competitive in league. We just couldn't score in league.
"It's definitely been a welcome thing, to be a little more offensive. We want to be a club that scores eight or more runs a game. They do take a lot of pride in it. Hopefully, we'll carry it on."
The power surge has helped UNLV (19-8, 5-1 in the Mountain West Conference) improve its record with eight more victories than it had through the same stretch last season.
Starting tonight at 6:30, against UC Irvine (10-16) at Wilson Stadium, the Rebels will continue to try to climb into the top 25 with seven of their next eight games at home, then a couple of series at high-altitude launching pads in Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs.
San Diego State (12-16, 5-1) visits Wilson Stadium this weekend, and UNLV went 1-5 against the Aztecs in 2002. The Rebels have won six of seven games since losing, 3-1, to the Anteaters in Irvine.
"Irvine is not a great offensive team, but they can really, really pitch," Schlossnagle said. "And SDSU, they're the team to beat in our league until someone proves otherwise. It's a huge week for us."
New pitchers Ryan Braun, James Thompson, Matt Wagner and Matthew Luca have been impressive, combining for a 6-0 record and 3.78 earned-run average.
The quartet has been a settling influence on a staff whose overall ERA is 6.29.
"They've saved us," Schlossnagle said, "to be honest with you."
For opponents, though, the most unsettling aspect of the Rebels is seeing the majority of them step to the plate.
Sophomore Eric Nielsen has led the assault, hitting .413 with six homers and 25 RBIs. He has improved his slugging percentage from .471 a year ago to .773.
Junior infielder Ryan Ruiz, the only returnee who hit at least six out of the park last season (he had 10), is tied with senior catcher Robert VanKirk for the team lead with seven home runs.
Newcomers Patrick Dobson and Fernando Valenzuela have belted six homers apiece, and they have driven in 27 and 28 runs, respectively. Brent Johnson, who hit four as a sophomore, has also crushed six homers, and he's hitting .405 and slugging .649.
Schlossnagle singled out Johnson, a junior from Durango High who has moved from center field to third base to get Dobson into the outfield, as someone who has been special to the Rebels.
"He's developing into an elite college player," Schlossnagle said of Johnson. "He's doing everything; running the bases well, hitting .400, driving the baseball. He has a chance to be an all-American-type player."
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