UNLV baseball needs victory in MWC opener

To keep playing beyond this week, the UNLV baseball team must win the Mountain West Conference Tournament. And even though it's a double-elimination format, Rebels coach Tim Chambers said he thinks the Rebels must take today's opener.

Because if the Rebels don't win behind starter Tanner Peters -- named the conference's pitcher of the year Monday -- they truly will be in trouble.

"Oh, we have to win, absolutely," Chambers said. "This team would have a really difficult time getting through the bracket if we don't win the first game. We don't have the depth on the mound."

Peters (9-3, 1.36 ERA) will try to keep fifth-seeded UNLV (33-23, 10-13 MWC) from going that route when it plays host and No. 4 seed San Diego State (21-34, 11-13) at 7 p.m.

This will be the fourth meeting in six days, with the Aztecs winning two of three last week. UNLV's one victory, a 4-3 decision, was with Peters starting.

The junior right-hander, dominant all season, became the first pitcher in the program's history to earn the MWC's annual award.

Peters has seven complete games, including a late-season stretch of three in a row in which his demeanor remained the same.

"Tanner is a really quiet, humble guy," Chambers said. "You can't tell by his body language because he never changes. I don't know of anybody who wants to face him."

But after Peters, it's quite a drop-off among the starters.

Closer Zack Hartman, who has eight saves, owns the next lowest ERA (2.41) among pitchers with more than 25 innings. The rest are 4.93 or higher.

Chambers knew entering his first season as UNLV's coach that pitching depth would be a major hurdle. But Chambers, who built a powerhouse at College of Southern Nevada before taking over the Rebels, also was hopeful of earning the program's first NCAA regional berth since 2005.

Though UNLV achieved its first winning season since the 2005 postseason appearance, Chambers said he doesn't think the record is good enough to get into a regional as an at-large team.

That means the Rebels will have to win this week's tournament.

Top-seeded Texas Christian (40-15, 20-3) is the overwhelming favorite. The Horned Frogs made it to the College World Series last season, and they have a team capable of returning to Omaha, Neb.

For UNLV to have a chance, the Rebels must win behind Peters tonight. He's usually the Friday night starter, but last week's series against San Diego State began Thursday, and Peters should be rested.

"I asked him if I run him out there for 110, 115, 120 pitches, how would he feel," Chambers said. "He said he probably could throw Monday."

■ NOTES -- In addition to Peters, sophomore designated hitter/utility man Brandon Bayardi made first-team all-conference. He batted .333 with 10 home runs.

Junior first baseman Trent Cook and junior outfielder Trevor Kirk made second team.

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