In five straight losses to UNLV, the University of Utah scored a grand total of seven combined runs in tbe seventh, eighth and ninth innings of those contests.
When the Rebels take a lead late in the game, it's almost easier to break into Fort Knox than beat them.
Thursday in the second round of the Mountain West Conference baseball tournament, the UNLV bullpen showed a sign of weakness, but the Utes failed to capitalize in the 5-3 loss at Franklin Covey Field.
UNLV starter Matt Luca held the Utes scoreless for seven innings and allowed just three hits while striking out seven before giving way to the relievers.
Utah's John Welsh belted a three-run homer off of Wayne Foltin in the top of the eighth to pull the Utes to within two.
In the ninth, Clayne Garrett singled and Joe Mozeleski doubled to put runners on second and third with no outs, but UNLV's Kyle Tabeek, the team leader with four saves, got Trevor Eastman to fly out and then struck out Ryder Olsen and Adam Frank to end the game.
"We couldn't get the clutch hit," Utah coach Bill Kinneberg said. "We needed to put the ball in play and we've got to pick out pitches to do that."
With the loss, the Utes (19-35) play San Diego State in an elimination game today at 11 a.m. at Franklin Covey Field.
UNLV battles BYU, a 4-3 winner over San Diego State, today at 3 p.m. The loser will play again at 7 p.m.
Luca allowed two hits in the second inning, but left both runners stranded. He would retire the side in order in four of the next five innings, with the Utes' only other hit off him coming in the fifth.
"He kept pounding first-pitch strikes and wearing out the outside half (of the plate)," Kinneberg said. "We didn't make any adjustments to it. It was strike one every time."
Utah starter Jason Price threw seven strong innings and allowed five runs (three earned) in suffering the loss. He struck out five and walked just one.
After giving up two unearned runs in the first inning, Price settled in and for the next three innings. UNLV tagged him for a run in the fifth and two in the sixth to take the 5-0 lead.
Welsh's fourth homer of the year in the eighth pull the Utes within striking distance, but they couldn't manage the key hit.
Garrett and Mozeleski had two hits each for the Utes, who had seven total in the game. UNLV's JC Sibley and Ryan Bird and two hits each and drove in two runs apiece.
In other action Thursday:
SAN DIEGO STATE 7, NEW MEXICO 5: Aztec leftfielder Curt Mendoza belted two home runs and had five RBIs as San Diego State eliminated New Mexico from the tournament.
SDSU starter Bruce Billings allowed just six hits and five runs (three earned) while striking out 10 in earning the victory.
New Mexico's Danny Ray Herrera suffered the loss. He surrendered 14 hits, seven runs (six earned) while striking out five.
Jake McLintock and Tim O'Brien also drove in runs for the Aztecs.
Jordan Pacheco and Chris Carlson had two RBIs each in a losing cause for the Lobos.
Mountain West Conference baseball tournament
Today's games
Franklin Covey Field
Utah vs. San Diego State, 11 a.m.
UNLV vs. BYU, 3 p.m.
Winner of the 11 a.m. game plays the loser of the 3 p.m. game at 7 p.m in a loser-out contest
E-mail: jhinton@desnews.com