HUSTLIN’ REBELS SET TO HOST IN-STATE RIVAL UNR
The UNLV baseball team is set to host in-state rival UNR as part of the Silver State Series presented by America First Credit Union.
SCHEDULE (PST)
Friday, April 4 at 6:05 p.m.
Saturday, April 5 at 6:05 p.m.
Sunday, April 6 at 12:05 p.m.
TICKETS: Fans can get their tickets this weekend’s game at unlvtickets.com.
MATCHUP HISTORY
Overall vs. UNR: 98-76
In Las Vegas: 58-32
Current Streak: UNLV, W2
Last Meeting: The Rebels claimed the season series 2-1 in Las Vegas last season.
BROADCAST INFO: The official livestream for the weekend will be broadcasted on the Mountain West Network. Links to broadcasts as well as live stats are available here.
PROMOTION: The UNLV Hustlin’ Rebels will host Season Ticket Holder Appreciation Night this Friday, April 4, at 6:05 p.m. Season ticket holders can claim up to four (4) FREE tickets to see the Hustlin’ Rebels take on the Wolf Pack in the next game of the Silver State Series, presented by America First Credit Union. Join us as we welcome Head Football Coach Dan Mullen, as he throws out the ceremonial first pitch.
Be one of the first fans through the gates to receive a Hustlin’ Rebels T-shirt, while supplies last. Don’t forget to take advantage of our Friday concession deals. Get $2 beers through the second inning and $5 off ribbon fries courtesy of Smoken Sams. Use code BEATRENO to claim up to four (4) tickets. Offer expires on Thursday, April 3, at 11:59 p.m. Click or tap to get your tickets today!
THIS SEASON: The Hustlin’ Rebels have been able to produce three batters with a batting average of .350 or higher through the halfway point of the season; Dean Toigo (.380), Cole Koniarsky (.364) and Gunnar Myro (.337) representing the highest averages. The trio represents several of the top 15 spots in the Mountain West leaderboard for those marks, ranking fourth, sixth and 14th in batting average.
UNLV holds several other top marks within the conference, Dean Toigo being the standalone leader in the Mountain West in RBI (33) and hits (41), while sharing the top spot in home runs (9). Additionally, the senior ranks second in total bases (74), while Cooper Sheff sits second in runs scored (28).
Sophomore starter Carson Lane leads the Rebels with 43 strikeouts, currently ranked third in the Mountain West. Lane’s latest starts have held him inside the conference’s top-five ERA marks so far in the season, notching the second-place spot on a 3.50 note.
The Hustlin’ Rebels have collected three Mountain West weekly honors so far this season, Sheff owning two Freshman honors and Lane picking up his first Pitcher award last week. UNLV’s last set were after claiming the season series over Fresno State 2-1, Lane and Sheff dualed as Pitcher & Freshman of the Week. Lane pitched eight innings for UNLV’s first combined no-hitter since 2003, Sheff batting .467 in the four-game stretch with six runs. Lane’s performance also netted him national honors, being selected as the College Baseball Foundations’ National Pitcher of the Week on 3/25/25.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: UNR enters the weekend with momentum, as they swept Washington State to sit in first place in conference play. Peyton Fosher was named Pitcher of the Week and Sean Yamaguchi took home both Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week. Fosher set the tone with seven scoreless innings and a career high-matching nine strikeouts in last week’s 10-0, eight-inning win. Only one Cougar base runner reached third base over Fosher’s outing, over which he allowed just three hits and had seven of his nine strikeouts come over the final three innings. Yamaguchi batted .571 (4-for-7) with two home runs, five RBI and three runs scored.
Their pitching is headed by Fosher, posting 36 innings in seven starts and is tied for fifth in the conference with 39 strikeouts. Additionally, he ranks fifth in opposing batting average (.252). Ethan O’Neal has also been one of the team’s top relief throwers, his 11 appearances picking up four saves in 13.2 innings of work.
NEW FOR 2025: The Rebels feature 23 newcomers wearing the Scarlet & Gray heading into the new season, three of those student-athletes being marked as true freshmen on the roster and 20 transferring to Las Vegas.
Of those 20 transfers, the Scarlet & Gray have two pairs of student-athletes to the roster arriving from the same institution, including Nicky Garritano and Michael Cruz from CSN.The duo helped lead the Coyotes to become on of the premiere JUCO programs, Garritano earning the 2024 NJCAA DI Baseball Defensive Player of the Year honor. Also being a two-time NJCAA DI Baseball ABCA & Rawlings Gold Glove recipient, both he and Cruz hold multiple All-Region selections in Region 18.
A few of UNLV’s fresh faces earned some time on the diamond during the Rebels’ scrimmage last weekend, the team having plenty of options to utilize throughout the season.Senior outfielder Dean Toigo led Hope International to their first-ever win in the Avista NAIA World Series as Toigo drove in two runs during the contest. Dwight Allen II was part of the 2022 Georgia squad that advanced to the NCAA Regional after appearing in 42 games that season and Colton Sundloff owns postseason experience from his time at Oklahoma pitching in the NCAA Super Regional.
Of the Rebel freshman trio, two arrive from California and Carl LaGrone comes from McQueen High School in Las Vegas. LaGrone ranked as the top LHP in Nevada, according to PerfectGame.com, Demetriz Lewis earning an All-Tournament nod after his performance in the 17U National Championship. Coming from Clovis North High School in Fresno (Calif.), Jayden Hertel picked up First Team All-TRAC recognition as a senior.
UNLV was voted tied for fourth in the Mountain West Preseason Poll prior to the start of the season, tied with New Mexico and San Diego State. The Rebels earned a first-place team vote during the poll, Paul Myro IV claiming All-Mountain West Preseason Team honors.