March 6, 2016
LAS VEGAS - San Jose State's baseball team had its opportunities to capture its first series of the season, but fell short in a 4-2 loss to UNLV Sunday afternoon at a windy Earl E. Wilson Stadium.
The Spartans (5-8, 1-2 MW) collected 10-plus hits for a second consecutive afternoon, but unlike yesterday's 11-run output, they couldn't make it translate to the scoreboard.
Brendt Citta's RBI groundout in the top of the second gave the Spartans a 1-0 lead, but they seemed to be one hit away the rest of the day. Ozzy Braff (3-4, run, double, home run, RBI) collected three legs of the cycle, and his second home run of the season cut UNLV's lead to 3-2.
Josh Nashed (2-4), Shane Timmons (2-4, run), David Campbell (2-4, double), and Hunter Tidwell (2-3) contributed to the 11-hit attack.
The Rebels (3-6, 2-1 MW) plated two runs in the third inning against starter Matt Brown (1-1), who was saddled with the loss. UNLV recorded just one hit in the inning but capitalized on a hit batter and two walks.
The eventual winning run came across in the sixth inning - Brown's final frame. He finished with a line of 6.0 innings, three runs allowed (two earned) on four hits and five strikeouts, but hit two and walked three.
Graham Gomez worked the seventh inning and allowed a run on two hits. Josh Goldberg finished it out with a perfect eighth inning.
For the Rebels, starter Kenny Oakley (1-2) got his first win of the season. He tossed a complete game, allowing the 11 hits and two runs while striking out two and walking none.
San Jose State returns home for a five-game set beginning Tuesday against St. Mary's.