UNLV hoping to find stride in Coors Classic

The panic button hasn't been pressed, but Rod Soesbe's finger is poised right above it.

UNLV's baseball coach is hoping his team can salvage the young season with a quick turnaround, and there would be no better time than now.

"We gotta get it done soon," Soesbe said. "We need those wins. Once we get on a roll, we'll start getting back."

Four teams -- Clemson, Washington, Nevada-Reno and Creighton -- will be at Wilson Stadium for the annual UNLV Coors Desert Classic. The event, featuring three games a day, starts Thursday and runs through Sunday.

UNLV's first foe will be UNR Thursday at 5 p.m. Washington will play an early doubleheader, facing Creighton at 10 a.m. and Clemson at 1:30 p.m.

The 3-9 Rebels have been struggling on the mound. The team ERA is 9.06 with the opposition hitting .326.

Poor outings from the bullpen cost the Rebels wins against nationally ranked teams on the road. UNLV blew leads to Arizona twice and also Pepperdine. Wins there would have drastically improved UNLV's stock and confidence.

"I'm a little disappointed in where we're at," Soesbe said. "We lost some games to good people on the road, teams we had beat, but didn't get it done in the last two innings. Now we're struggling with confidence in ourselves, wondering if we can get it done.

"A little confidence would keep our guys from pressing. At the plate we're trying to do too much, trying to hit a six-run home run instead of hitting the ball up the middle and getting on base.

"It's not that the kids have quit or are giving up. It's a matter of trying too hard to get things done."

Also on the Rebels' schedule for the Coors Desert Classic is Clemson Friday at 5 p.m., Creighton Saturday at 1:30 p.m., Washington Saturday at 5 p.m. and UNR Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

Clemson is ranked No. 12 in the nation by Baseball America, No. 14 by Baseball Weekly/ESPN and No. 20 by Collegiate Baseball. Washington is rated No. 24 by Collegiate Baseball and No. 28 by Baseball Weekly/ESPN.

archive