Friday, May 21, 2004 | 9:59 a.m.
ALBUQUERQUE -- The UNLV baseball team used two consecutive five-run innings to take the lead at New Mexico, but three late-inning runs by New Mexico propelled the Lobos to a 14-12 victory in the opening game of a three-game series at Isotopes Park.
The Rebels need to win the remaining two games against the Lobos to secure the Mountain West regular-season title.
Trailing 6-2 heading into the sixth inning, the Rebels (32-21, 19-9 MWC) rallied for five runs. Eddie Gill had a two-run double in the inning.
New Mexico (23-26-1, 19-9 MWC) bounced right back with a five-run inning of its own in the bottom of the sixth, which included a grand slam by Josh Mader.
Down 11-7 in the seventh, UNLV again responded with another five-run inning to go up 12-11. The big spark again came from Gill, who had a three-run triple.
However, New Mexico scored the game's final three runs with two in the bottom of the seventh and one in the eighth to close out the scoring.
Joe Salas (3-1) earned the win for New Mexico, while Ben Scheinbaum (3-4) was charged with the loss.
David Seccombe started on the mound for UNLV and went five innings. He gave up nine hits and seven runs.
Gill led UNLV with five RBIs, while Ryan Bird (4-for-5), Ryan Kowalski (3-for-6), Eric Nielsen (3-for-5) and Andrew D'Angelo (3-for-4) all recorded at least three hits. Gill was 2-for-4.
UNLV outhit New Mexico 17-16.
The teams will be back in action for the second game of the series today. Jake Vose (9-3, 4.48 ERA) will pitch for the Rebels.
Game three is Saturday. UNLV sends Matt Luca (6-5, 6.68) to the hill in the regular-season finale.
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