UNLV nets 31 runs to outslug Black Bears in doubleheader

UNLV's pitching figured to be shaky this season, but at least the Rebels know there's another baseball team with perhaps even more concerns in that area.

The Rebels took advantage of six bases-loaded walks issued by Maine in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader to help rally for a 16-11 victory.

"I felt like they were kind of stressing out a little bit," said UNLV's Cash Thomas, who went 3-for-6 with two RBIs in the nightcap. "They could tell we could hit the ball good. They were trying to throw the ball better than they needed to."

Coupled with a 15-14 win in the day's first game, UNLV clinched the series victory and will go for the four-game sweep at 1:05 p.m. today at Wilson Stadium.

Maine (0-3) appeared to be in excellent shape to gain the doubleheader split with the Rebels (3-0) when it scored nine runs over the seventh and eighth innings to go up 11-6. But the Black Bears, who wound up walking 15 batters in the game, couldn't close it out.

UNLV's Rance Roundy hit a two-run homer -- his third of the day and fourth of the young season -- to start a 10-run rally in the eighth.

Maine did its part by giving the Rebels four bases-loaded walks in the inning, after giving up two in the sixth.

But UNLV also forced the action, stealing three bases. The Rebels had nine steals in the first game, and through the first two days of the season have 17. They had 31 all of last season.

And UNLV had timely hitting. After the walks put the Rebels ahead in the eighth, they gave themselves room with a run-scoring single by Scott Berke and two-run single by Thomas.

In the opening game, UNLV had 22 hits and needed each one of them after blowing a five-run lead in the top of the ninth inning.

Brandon Bayardi singled with one out in the bottom of the ninth, then stole second base and took third on a throwing error. Trent Cook's single then brought home Bayardi with the winning run.

Cook finished 5-for-6 with five RBIs and three runs, but he was far from UNLV's only hitting standout. Roundy hit two homers, going 4-for-6 and scoring four times. Richie Jimenez was 4-for-5 with three RBIs.

"Our offensive lineup's good," UNLV coach Tim Chambers said. "We've got a bunch of guys that understand how to battle at the plate and fight off pitches until they can get something to hit. The philosophy is to try to win bags, and they did that today."

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.