Lighting failure stalls UNLV rally, suspends game vs. Arizona State

By MARK ANDERSON LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

10 years ago

Arizona State senior Joey Bielek (5) slides into home plate while UNLV senior Erik VanMeetren (8) attempts to tag him out during a baseball game at Wilson Stadium on the UNLV campus, in Las Vegas on Tuesday, April. 7, 2015. Arizona State led 5-2 at the bottom of the third inning when the game was postponed due to a lighting problem. (Donavon Lockett/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

UNLV Freshman Dan Skelly (49) winds up for a pitch from the mound during a baseball game at Wilson Stadium on the UNLV campus, in Las Vegas on Tuesday, April. 7, 2015. Arizona State led 5-2 at the bottom of the third inning when the game was postponed due to a lighting problem. (Donavon Lockett/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

UNLV Junior Joey Armstrong (3) rounds second base on his way to third during a baseball game against Arizona State Sun Devils at Wilson Stadium on the UNLV campus, in Las Vegas on Tuesday, April. 7, 2015. Arizona State led 5-2 at the bottom of the third inning when the game was postponed due to a lighting problem. (Donavon Lockett/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

UNLV senior A.J. Hernandez (24) swings through a pitch during a baseball game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Wilson Stadium on the UNLV campus, in Las Vegas on Tuesday, April. 7, 2015. Arizona State led 5-2 at the bottom of the third inning when the game was postponed due to a lighting problem. (Donavon Lockett/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

UNLV pitcher senior Joey Lauria (50) left, talks with catcher UNLV senior Erik VanMeetren (8) during a baseball game against Arizona State Sun Devils at Wilson Stadium on the UNLV campus, in Las Vegas on Tuesday, April. 7, 2015. Arizona State led 5-2 at the bottom of the third inning when the game was postponed due to a lighting problem. (Donavon Lockett/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Arizona State freshman Andrew Snow (4) dives back to first base as a ball is thrown to the first baseman UNLV senior Morgan Stotts (44) during a baseball game against Arizona State Sun Devils at Wilson Stadium on the UNLV campus, in Las Vegas on Tuesday, April. 7, 2015. Arizona State led 5-2 at the bottom of the third inning when the game was postponed due to a lighting problem. (Donavon Lockett/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

UNLV junior A.J. VanMeetren (21) rounds second base during a baseball game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Wilson Stadium on the UNLV campus, in Las Vegas on Tuesday, April. 7, 2015. Arizona State led 5-2 at the bottom of the third inning when the game was postponed due to a lighting problem. (Donavon Lockett/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

UNLV freshman Nick Rodriguez (41) slides into second base being covered by Arizona State freshman Andrew Snow (4) during a baseball game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Wilson Stadium on the UNLV campus, in Las Vegas on Tuesday, April. 7, 2015. Arizona State led 5-2 at the bottom of the third inning when the game was postponed due to a lighting problem. (Donavon Lockett/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Pitcher for UNLV junior Ben Wright (7) winds up for a pitch during a baseball game against Arizona State Sun Devils at Wilson Stadium on the UNLV campus, in Las Vegas on Tuesday, April. 7, 2015. Arizona State led 5-2 at the bottom of the third inning when the game was postponed due to a lighting problem. (Donavon Lockett/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

UNLV junior A.J. VanMeetren (21) swings through a pitch during a baseball game against Arizona State Sun Devils at Wilson Stadium on the UNLV campus, in Las Vegas on Tuesday, April. 7, 2015. Arizona State led 5-2 at the bottom of the third inning when the game was postponed due to a lighting problem. (Donavon Lockett/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Arizona State sophomore Zach Cerbo (27) walks back to home plate after running for a foul hit ball during a baseball game against Arizona State Sun Devils at Wilson Stadium on the UNLV campus, in Las Vegas on Tuesday, April. 7, 2015. Arizona State led 5-2 at the bottom of the third inning when the game was postponed due to a lighting problem. (Donavon Lockett/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

A bank of lights down the first-base line went out Tuesday night at Wilson Stadium, suspending UNLV’s baseball game against Arizona State just as the Rebels were threatening to rally.

The game will be picked up at 10 a.m. today with the fifth-ranked Sun Devils leading 5-2, but UNLV will have the bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the third inning. Admission is free.

“It’s a game that needs to be played,” UNLV interim coach Stan Stolte said. “It’s a scheduled game. We don’t want to waste three innings.”

Stolte, filling in for Tim Chambers as he continues to recover from back surgery, said the same bank of lights went out a week before the season began.

“This time, there seems to be a bigger problem,” Stolte said. “It was fixable the last time.”

UNLV’s staff was forced to juggle today’s class schedules, which could affect how the bullpen will be used as well as position players.

Stolte said right-hander Cody Roper is expected to take the mound in the fourth inning, which would be the fourth UNLV pitcher of the game.

Right-hander Ben Wright didn’t allow any runs in the third after the first two pitchers combined to give up five runs on six hits.

UNLV scored single runs in the first and second innings, then put together its biggest threat in the third off Arizona State right-handed starter Hever Bueno. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases with one out and A.J. VanMeetren scheduled to hit. He singled and scored in his first at-bat.

Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65.