1-5 does not a season make

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006 | 12:32 p.m.

A 1-5 start has not affected third-year UNLV baseball coach Buddy Gouldsmith's outlook for the 2006 season.

"I still like our team," he said. "I think we have a team that will be very consistent. I know the wins and losses don't necessarily show consistency right now."

Besides, Gouldsmith has experienced this before. Last season, the Rebels lost 14 of their first 17 games. UNLV rallied, went 23-7 to win the Mountain West Conference, and Gouldsmith was tabbed league coach of the year.

In June, the Rebels played in the NCAA tournament for the second consecutive season under Gouldsmith.

He said he will always try to schedule top-flight programs such as Pepperdine and Cal State Fullerton, which the Rebels played the past two weekends; and Texas, which visits Las Vegas for a three-game series the first weekend of March.

"I don't play these games expecting to lose," Gouldsmith said. "I expect to win them, with the understanding that, if we don't, it'll really point out where we have to get better.

"We want to be an elite program, play in Omaha (in the College World Series). Our goals are the same every year. Maybe I'm wrong, but the only way to do that is to play the best competition."

UNLV has been hammered on the mound. The Rebels have a 6.80 earned-run average compared to their opponents' 2.50.

Help is on the way.

Kevin Skogley, an Oregon native who underwent Tommy John surgery on his left (throwing) elbow 16 months ago, hadn't thrown in a competitive game in two years until his two appearances this season.

The 6-foot-6 sophomore lost one of those and has a 5.06 ERA, walking two with five strikeouts.

"He's not ready to elevate his pitch count," Gouldsmith said. "He's 100 percent, but his stamina isn't back."

Efren Navarro Jr. (tendinitis), Matt Luca (shoulder surgery) and Ryan Tabor (tendinitis) have not thrown yet, but Gouldsmith believes Navarro might be able to pitch at UNR this weekend.

Luca might return in a week or two, which is also Tabor's rough timetable.

"With those guys back, there won't be so much pressure on the 'pen," Gouldsmith said. "Right now, we don't have the bullets. We have half a cartridge."

Freshman catcher Michael Brenly has played in half of UNLV's games, with one start. His father, Bob Brenly, is one of the team's most ardent fans, having attended all of the Rebels' games.

Bob Brenly is a former major league catcher who managed the Arizona Diamondbacks to the 2001 World Series championship before becoming a TV analyst for the Chicago Cubs.

The elder Brenly joined his son on his recruiting visit.

"He had questions like any parent would," Gouldsmith said. "He placed a lot of confidence in Michael's ability to make the decision. I respect that. Bob's very genuine and nice, but he's just a dad who comes to root for the team and his son."

Michael Brenly has two singles in five plate appearances. He has also walked once and scored a run.

"They'll be ready for us," Gouldsmith said. "The weather won't be what we're accustomed to. And their turf will provide more adversity because we don't play on it. But we'll give them our best game."

"He's as good a baseball player as I've ever coached," Gouldsmith said.

As a senior at Poway High, he earned team MVP honors with 11 homers and a 7-0 record on the hill. He also lettered as a tight end on the football team.

Rob Miech can be reached at 259-4087 or at miech@lasvegassun.com.