Ninth-inning error sends UNLV baseball team to second loss

A two-out error in the bottom of the ninth inning by UNLV shortstop Matt McCallister allowed the winning run to score and give Tennessee a 5-4 baseball victory over the Rebels on Saturday at Knoxville, Tenn.

UNLV has lost the first two games of the three-game series after sweeping a four-game set from Central Michigan to open the season.

The Rebels tied the game 4-4 in the top of the ninth on Erik VanMeetren’s two-out single that scored Edgar Montes and Joey Armstrong. Armstrong, hitting leadoff, went 2-for-3 with two walks and three runs.

The Volunteers (6-0) then scored the winning run without a hit. A walk, stolen base and another walk put runners at first and second with one out.

UNLV reliever Kenny Oakley then got the second out on a fly to right. On the play, McCallister tried to cut down the runner at second, but his throw sailed over the second baseman’s head and the winning run scored.

John Richy pitched the first seven innings for the Rebels, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks.

The teams will play the final game of the series at 10 a.m. today. It will be broadcast on KBAD-AM (920).