Rebels out to end drought

Much like Buddy Gouldsmith's tenure as UNLV baseball coach, the Rebels started strong last season before faltering.

UNLV, which opens its season against Sacramento State at 7 tonight at Wilson Stadium, won 11 of its first 14 games last year but lost 13 of its next 15 en route to a 26-32 record.

Likewise, Gouldsmith guided the Rebels to the Mountain West Conference tournament title in his first two years but has since suffered through four straight losing seasons.

UNLV has struggled away from home -- compiling a 10-42 road record the past two years -- and also has three consecutive losing marks in MWC play.

The Rebels went 9-15 in the league last season, finishing sixth out of seven teams, and were ranked sixth in this year's MWC preseason poll.

"The fact they put us in the six hole is disappointing, but we need to use that as inspiration to propel us to play harder and go out every day to try to prove them wrong," Gouldsmith said.

Gouldsmith, who has a 173-188 record at UNLV, said the Rebels should be strong in pitching and on offense.

Catcher Drew Beuerlein returns after missing most of last season with a broken hand. Before the injury, Beuerlein batted .407 with two homers, five doubles, four triples and 22 RBIs in 17 games.

Rance Roundy, a senior right fielder, is one of five returning starters. The preseason all-conference pick hit safely in 15 of his final 16 games last season and batted .364 with three homers and 32 RBIs.

Jarred Frierson, a senior who hit .340 with 35 RBIs last year, will start in center field, and promising freshman Brandon Bayardi will start in left.

"He's been as good as anyone we have since the day he arrived on campus," Gouldsmith said of the 6-foot-2-inch, 225-pound Bayardi. "He's got a chance to put up some big offensive numbers."

Junior transfers Richie Jimenez and Hunter Beaty will start at shortstop and second base, respectively.

UNLV returns two starting pitchers from last year in sophomore right-handers Tanner Peters and Andy Beresford.

Peters, tonight's starter, went 5-7 with a 4.90 ERA last season. The 6-foot-6-inch Beresford went 3-4 with a 6.32 ERA. Right-handers Chad Nading, Stephen Singer and Matt Hutchison, the team's closer, also return.

Four-time defending MWC champion Texas Christian was picked to win the league's regular-season title. New Mexico was ranked second in the poll of coaches and a media panel, followed by San Diego State, defending MWC tournament champion Utah and Brigham Young.

The Rebels will play 19 of their first 22 games at home before opening league play March 25 at BYU.

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354.