Game 1 - #6 UNLV 2 #7 San Jose State 1 (Play-in game)
The Spartans scored first as they plated a run in the top of the first but that was the extent of their offense this day as they lose to the Rebels. UNLV scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning which held up to end San Jose State's season. Andre Mercurio and Brett Bautista both had two hits for the Spartans. Kalei Contrades ended his college career pitching very well for the Spartans but still ended up a loser as the offense could not garner any more runs than the one in the first. UNLV had 10 hits led by A.J. Vanmeetren's three and Payton Squier's two. Starting pitcher Kenny Oakley went 7 innings giving 1 run on 5 hits for the win. With the win, the Rebels moved on to play Fresno State.
Game 2 - #3 Fresno State 6 #6 UNLV 5
In the second game of the tournament, controversy was abound as the Bulldogs came from behind to defeated the Rebels 6-5. The Bulldogs were up 4-1 after seven innings but UNLV came back to score four runs to take a 5-4 lead after Bulldogs pitcher Garrett Mundell was called for a balk and the Bulldogs did not agree with the call. In the bottom of the eight inning, Bulldogs infielder Torin Goldstein singled home the game tying run. And at the next at-bat, Taylor Tempel singled to left field scoring pitch runner Jesse Medrano where despite the throw beating him by a step, the home umpire called him safe because according to the umpire, UNLV catcher did not apply the tag. With that run scored, it put the Bulldogs on top for good.
Bulldogs pitcher Jimmy Lambert allowed only two hits and one run in seven innings of work but got the no decision because the Bulldogs bullpen gave the lead away. Fresno State will move on to face the second seeded San Diego State Aztecs at 3pm PST while the Rebels are now in the loser's bracket.
Game 3 - #4 New Mexico 13 #5 Air Force 1
The Lobos dominated the Falcons in the final game of the day and didn't need nine innings to do so. Due to the ten run mercy rule, the Lobos finished off the Falcons in seven innings. The Falcons score the first run of the game but that was it as the Lobos scored five runs in the second inning, one in the third, three in the fourth, one in the fifth, and three in the sixth to close the book on the game early. Tyler Stevens pitched a complete game striking out eight Falcons batters and giving up only one run. On offense for the Lobos, Jack Zoellner was the star as he went 3 for 3 with a home run, two doubles, four runs scored and two RBIs
The Falcons will face Rebels at 11am PST in an elimination game while the Lobos will face the top seeded Wolf Pack at 7 pm PST.
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Mountain West Baseball Tournament Recap: Day One
Here is a recap of the day one games of the 2015 Mountain West Baseball tournament.
By
Brandon_Blake and Don Starks