TCU edges out UNLV, 10-9

They were so close, and yet that guy hit the ball so far.

UNLV's baseball team, battling for the final playoff spot in the Western Athletic Conference tournament, dominated TCU for six innings and held an 8-1 lead heading into the seventh.

But the Horned Frogs scored nine runs in the final three frames, including a rocket-shot grand slam by Chris Connally in the ninth, to beat the Rebels 10-9 Sunday night at Wilson Stadium. The Rebels loaded the bases with none out in the bottom of the ninth, but managed just one run.

"We needed that game tonight real bad," Rebel head coach Rod Soesbe said. "This puts us in a tough situation."

UNLV now is 29-22 overall and 12-15 in the WAC, placing them a half game behind San Jose State in the six-team postseason hunt. SJSU, which will play one fewer conference game this season due to a rainout, beat Fresno State 10-5 earlier in the day to raise its records to 30-20, 12-14.

The Rebels have four games remaining, but only three in the WAC. After hosting No. 15 Arizona State Tuesday at 5:05 p.m., UNLV travels to New Mexico for games Friday-Sunday.

"We have to go down there to New Mexico and sweep," Rebel third baseman and Green Valley grad Kevin Eberwein said. "We know we're better than most teams in the WAC. We just gotta show it.

"We know we can sweep if we keep our heads in the game. We know we can play with anybody in the country."

UNLV loaded the bases four times -- thrice in the first four innings -- but couldn't capitalize. The bags were full with one out in the first, but no runs crossed the plate.

But the Rebels chased Frogs starting pitcher Heath Collins with seven runs in the next two innings, including a three-run homer run by Chris Adolph in the third.

Tony DeMarco then started the fourth with a solo homer before the Rebels again loaded the bases with one out yet failed to take advantage.

UNLV starter Jeremiah Tipton limited TCU to one run through six innings before running into trouble to start the seventh. Tipton, who struck out seven and walked four, left with runners on first and second and none out.

A trio of Rebel relievers not only couldn't bail Tipton out, but also they couldn't hold a seven-run lead.

"They let us down," Soesbe said of his bullpen. "But sometimes that just happens."

Toby Harris, Mike Lopez and Jimmy Smith each recorded three outs, but none on strikes. Harris was credited with three earned runs in the seventh and eighth innings. Smith allowed three on Connally's blast with the other run going to Lopez, who left after giving up a single to start the ninth.

The Rebels fought back in their half of the ninth with three straight singles. A passed ball allowed Ryan Hamill to score, cutting the Frogs' lead to 10-9.

But A.C. Smith, Adolph and Chris Gillette struck out to end the game.

"These kids could've quit in the ninth inning, but they didn't," Soesbe said. "The kids played hard. We just didn't get it done."

TCU head coach Lance Brown claimed such a difficult loss could be exactly what UNLV needs down the homestretch.

"Sometimes a loss is as good as a win in propelling you," Brown said. "Sometimes it strengthens your resolve to go in and play hard."

Smith, UNLV's saves leader with seven, dropped to 3-2. TCU stopper Jeff Shaddix pitched six innings of relief for the win, raising his mark to 2-1.

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