:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/1910795/GYI0063441134.jpg)
This season it seems that the MWC as a whole couldn't get anything going in the Non-conference schedule. TCU (Pre-season ranked 1st in the country) went 10-7 out of conference, UNLV went 17-4 in the non-conference, and then after that the only team with a winning record is BYU at 11-10.
Although the MWC may be struggling, the Rebels sure aren't. They are currently 18-7 after having lost their final two games against then No. 9 TCU and a shocker last night to 6-15 New Mexico. The Rebels have either won or tied in every series this season except that 1-2 series loss to TCU and a loss to Cal State Northridge in a one game series. The Rebels are receiving votes in the lone College Baseball poll and look for them to possibly make a jump into the rankings if they can string together a few games.
Since my last update back in February, a lot has gone on. Here is a table to help you get caught up on what UNLV baseball has done this season:
| Date | Opponent | Location | Result |
| 2/18/11 | vs. Maine | Las Vegas, NV | W, 12-4 |
| 2/19/11 | vs. Maine | Las Vegas, NV | W, 15-14 |
| 2/19/11 | vs. Maine | Las Vegas, NV | W, 16-11 |
| 2/20/11 | vs. Maine | Las Vegas, NV | W, 8-2 |
| 2/25/11 | vs. Central Michigan | Las Vegas, NV | W, 10-2 |
| 2/26/11 | vs. Central Michigan | Las Vegas, NV | L, 9-7 |
| 2/26/11 | vs. Central Michigan | Las Vegas, NV | W, 7-2 |
| 2/27/11 | vs. Central Michigan | Las Vegas, NV | W, 5-2 |
| 3/01/11 | at Texas Tech | Lubbock, TX | L, 9-4 |
| 3/02/11 | at Texas Tech | Lubbock, TX | W, 4-3 |
| 3/04/11 | at Nevada | Reno, NV | W. 9-0 |
| 3/05/11 | at Nevada | Reno, NV | W, 10-6 |
| 3/06/11 | at Nevada | Reno, NV | W, 5-0 |
| 3/08/11 | vs. Arizona | Las Vegas, NV | L, 12-1 |
| 3/09/11 | vs. Arizona | Las Vegas, NV | W, 9-7 |
| 3/11/11 | vs. Valparaiso | Las Vegas, NV | W, 12-2 |
| 3/12/11 | vs. Valparaiso | Las Vegas, NV | W, 7-4 |
| 3/12/11 | vs. Valparaiso | Las Vegas, NV | W, 11-5 |
| 3/13/11 | vs. Valparaiso | Las Vegas, NV | W, 6-5 (11) |
| 3/15/11 | at Cal State Northridge | Northridge, CA | L, 11-6 |
| 3/18/11 | vs. TCU | Las Vegas, NV | W, 5--4 |
| 3/19/11 | vs. TCU | Las Vegas, NV | L, 12-2 |
| 3/20/11 | vs. TCU | Las Vegas, NV | L, 8-4 |
| 3/23/11 | vs. UC Irvine | Las Vegas, NV | W, 4-3 |
| 3/25/11 | at New Mexico | Albuquerque, NM | L, 3-1 |
UNLV finishes out their road series with New Mexico on Saturday and Sunday and then travel to Salt Lake City to take on Utah in a 3 game series starting on April 1st. After their road trip ends, the Rebels still have 25 games left on the regular season (To the CWS we go?) that ends on May 21st.
The reason for UNLV's success is a combination of great pitching and great batting. UNLV's Tanner Peters has a 0.49 ERA this season and is 4-0 on the season. Along with Peters in the Rebels stellar pitching is Zack Hartman, who has a 2.37 ERA and is 2-0 on the season, and Tyler Iodence, who has a 2.76 ERA with a 3-1 record.
When concerning the bats, UNLV is known for getting hits, not home runs. The Rebels only have 24 homeruns this season, but they also have 6 players who have .300 Batting Average or better, including Rance Roundy, who is batting an outstanding .435 on the season. As a whole, the team is batting just over .300 and .303. As far as the Rebels defense goes, they have held their opponents to a batting average of .257 and a homerun total of only 15.
Will the Rebels make the College World Series this season? I truly don't know. They have two great wins for their resume over then No. 9 TCU and No. 11 UC Irvine, but also have a questionable loss to New Mexico, who is an MWC baseball bottom dweller. I guess we will just have to wait and see how the Rebels perform during the rest of the season.
Follow Mountain West Connection via Twitter and Facebook for News Quick Hits and Random Nonsense.
Follow rebelfan1_ via Twitter for News on UNLV and the Mountain West Conference.