The UNLV baseball team had no trouble getting hits Saturday, but the timing of the hits left plenty to be desired.

The Rebels pounded out 14 hits, but left 13 runners on base in an 8-6 loss to San Diego State at Wilson Stadium that evened the three-game Mountain West Conference series at one game apiece.

It was the sixth loss in eight games for the Rebels, but coach Buddy Gouldsmith doesn't see his team losing confidence in itself.

"I don't think it's about confidence, it's about timely hitting," he said.

Leadoff hitter Ryan Kowalski collected three hits in the game, but he said the Rebels need to hit with runners on base to find success.

"We are not putting the ball in play when we need to," the sophomore from San Diego said. "That's the big problem right now. We just have to continue trying to put the ball in the middle of the field."

UNLV (17-23, 4-8 Mountain West) was able to rally from a late three-run deficit in the series opener Friday night, but an eighth-inning comeback attempt fell short Saturday.

Leading 4-2 in the top of the eighth, San Diego State (14-28, 7-5) got an RBI single from Curt Mendoza off UNLV reliever Ryan Tabor.

Alex Chalfant came on to pitch and allowed an RBI single to Chris Anderson. A two-run triple to Lance Zawadski gave the Aztecs a six-run advantage.

The Rebels answered with four runs in the bottom of the inning. Mike Cruz led off with a solo home run, and Keith Smith added a two-run double later in the frame. Efren Navarro's pinch-hit RBI single got UNLV within two runs, but Blake Gailen grounded out with two runners on to end the threat.

Smith followed up Friday night's game-winning home run with three hits and three RBIs and continues to be UNLV's main offensive weapon.

"Keith has been coming through for us consistently, but we need somebody else to step up," Gouldsmith said. "I think our best baseball is ahead of us, but we can't do it with one guy. We need to have a second guy come around and help carry us."

While piling up some offensive statistics, UNLV continued its problem of striking out too often.

"We've got to find a way to put the ball in play," Gouldsmith said. "We struck out 23 times in two days, and that is not tolerable."

Aztecs starter Lance Sewell allowed just two runs, one earned, with seven strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings to earn the win. Mark Triolo slammed the door on the rally in the eighth, then struck out the first two Rebels of the ninth inning. Triolo picked up the save.

Senior Matt Luca will get the start today at 1 p.m. as the Rebels go for the series victory. Luca threw a no-hitter against the Aztecs during his freshman season, but he continues to struggle in his comeback from offseason shoulder surgery.

Luca is 1-3 with a 10.38 ERA in five appearances this season, including four starts.