Rebels need more high hitters

Rob Miech

Friday, April 14, 2006 | 7:18 a.m.

UNLV's team earned-run average of 6.10 is in line with how its pitchers performed during coach Buddy Gouldsmith's first two seasons. In 2004, the Rebels had a 6.16 ERA. Last season, it was 5.50.

What isn't consistent is the ERA of UNLV's opponents. The other side's hurlers have a 5.95 ERA against the Rebels this season. Two years ago, it was 8.62. In '05, it was 7.11.

So the biggest reason UNLV is 16-19 is that opposing pitchers have been successful in taming the Rebels.

In addition, five UNLV players are hitting at least .300, but none is in the elite .350-.380 range.

"That's the thing we've missed, a guy who will knock guys in day in and day out," Gouldsmith said. "You have those guys in the middle, for sure. But the bottom half is too low and the top half isn't high enough."

Keith Smith has paced UNLV with a .349 batting average with seven home runs and 35 RBIs. C.J. Lang, who's hitting .344, is 10-for-13 in stolen-base attempts.

Centennial High graduate and junior infielder Chris Bonnell (.328), Brady Walker (.317) and Chad Miller (.302) round out the team's .300 club.

UNLV visits Fort Worth, Texas, this weekend for a series against Mountain West Conference newcomer Texas Christian University, where Gouldsmith will manage against a familiar face again.

Gouldsmith and TCU coach Jim Schlossnagle were weaned as coaches at Tulane, and Gouldsmith served as an assistant to Schlossnagle when the latter coached UNLV in 2002 and '03.

In their first meeting against each other as head coaches, TCU beat UNLV, 5-2, two weeks ago in a preseason league tournament in San Diego.

"It's fun to see a friend and compete against friends, but it's really tough," Gouldsmith said. "It's funny, but in that situation there's no winner, regardless of how it comes out. When he plays someone besides us, I root for him.

"But I'm sure it'll be a lot of fun. I'm excited to see his children; I was there when both were born."

So why did Gouldsmith schedule The Citadel, which the Rebels defeated 22-6 last month in sweeping a three-game series in Las Vegas?

Historical analysis, he said. The Citadel (18-15) has typically had a strong Ratings Percentage Index, which is one of the gauges the NCAA selection committee uses in picking at-large squads to its 64-team tournament.

"A lot of thought went into playing them," Gouldsmith said. "That's what we have to do, lure those teams to Las Vegas."

Gouldsmith hopes to add Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Washington State to future nonleague schedules. Meanwhile, he'll be rooting for UC Irvine, California and The Citadel to win this season to boost UNLV's RPI.

Infield flies

Smith has shown off his versatility by flawlessly moving between right field and third base. He also leads the team in triples (three), total bases (75) and slugging percentage (.688) by a regular. He's second in runs (29), doubles (10) and RBIs (35).

A 6-foot-6 righty from Galveston, Texas, Luca has been trying to regain his form after shoulder surgery last summer. He has a 12.96 ERA and is 1-2. "He has to continue to throw to get on track," Gouldsmith said.