Fresh arms key to Rebels’ success

The talent UNLV will put on the mound this season almost can't be disputed.

It's the inexperience that is the question, the main obstacle between a so-so season and one that extends beyond the Mountain West Conference Tournament.

To build on the 33 victories from coach Tim Chambers' first season and reach an NCAA regional, the Rebels will need a junior college transfer and any number of freshmen and sophomores to live up to their potential.

"The quality of stuff is another level from last year," Chambers said. "If the kids don't let the lights and what I call the scares on the mound get into their head and they just throw strikes, then we're a lot better."

UNLV, picked to finish second in the five-team Mountain West, opens its season with a three-game series at 2 p.m. today at Loyola Marymount. The Rebels' first series at Wilson Stadium is Feb. 28 and 29 against Cal State Bakersfield, which begins a 13-game homestand.

They should have the offense to make a run at a regional berth. Junior outfielder Brandon Bayardi was named a preseason honorable mention All-American by College Baseball Insider, and last year he led the Rebels with 10 home runs and 51 RBIs. He also batted .325.

Bayardi leads an experienced lineup that last season combined to hit .300 with 35 home runs in the first season of the NCAA-mandated bat that takes a lot of power out of the game.

But whether the pitching can keep the Rebels in games is uncertain. Gone is Tanner Peters, who last season went 9-4 with a 1.50 ERA and was named conference Pitcher of the Year. The third-team All-American was drafted in the 16th round by the Oakland Athletics.

After Peters, there was a significant drop-off in the rotation. Today's starter, senior right-hander Joe Robinson, had the next best ERA at 4.88 while going 5-7.

"Obviously, you can't replace a Tanner Peters, who was insane last year," said sophomore right-hander Buddy Borden, who went to Arbor View High School. "But as a whole, I think we've gotten better."

Chambers said the remaining starters for this weekend's series probably will be junior college transfer Mark Shannon on Saturday and freshman Erick Fedde on Sunday. On Monday, Borden is expected to start at UC Irvine.

Shannon, a left-hander, helped lead Central Arizona to the National Junior College Athletic Association World Series title game. He went 8-2 with a 2.19 ERA, and batted .294.

Even though he's a newcomer, Shannon's age immediately elevates him into a leadership position on the staff.

"I know what it's like out there, so I would hope they would view me as a leader," Shannon said. "I'm going to try to be one."

Fedde, a right-hander, signed out of Las Vegas High. He also was drafted in the 24th round by the San Diego Padres, and Fedde said he seriously considered signing with them.

"Overall, UNLV suited me best," Fedde said. "I need some time to mature a little more. I don't know if I was mentally or physically prepared for the minor leagues."

Fedde and his teammates hope they're prepared to make a run at the school's first regional appearance since 2005.

"I tell everybody we're a lot better than we were a year ago, but the schedule is also tougher, and it will get tougher next year, too," Chambers said. "I think that's the only way you can get better.

"The win total, for me, is going to play itself out. Whatever it takes to get to a regional. We're really, really focused on getting to a regional and having an opportunity to advance in the (NCAA) tournament."

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65.