UNLV Hustlin’ Rebels Baseball Team Clinches Championship Spot

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UNLV baseball team showcasing their skills in a crucial championship game.

News Summary

The UNLV Hustlin’ Rebels baseball team has secured a spot in the Mountain West Championship after sweeping Air Force. With a final record of 31-22, they will compete against San Diego State. This marks their first appearance in the championship since 2022, bringing their total to 21 tournament appearances. The tournament features competitive matchups from multiple teams aiming for the conference title. Fans are encouraged to follow live updates as the Rebels take on the challenge.

Las Vegas, Nevada – The UNLV Hustlin’ Rebels baseball team has clinched a spot in the 2025 Credit Union 1 Mountain West Championship after achieving a remarkable sweep against the Air Force team. With a final record of 31 wins and 22 losses overall and 16 wins to 14 losses in Mountain West play, the Rebels are set to face off against fifth-seeded San Diego State on Wednesday, May 21, at 6:05 PM at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona.

This year marks a significant comeback for UNLV, as it will be their first appearance in the Mountain West Championship since 2022, bringing their total tournament appearances to 21. The Mountain West Baseball tournament runs from May 21 to May 24, 2025, featuring a lineup of competitive games to determine the conference champion.

The tournament begins with the Rebels competing in the second game of the opening day against the Aztecs. The subsequent day will see the winner of the UNLV vs. San Diego State game advance to challenge the number one seed, UNR, on Thursday, May 22.

Mountain West Championship Schedule:

Wednesday, May 21:
- 1:05 PM: Game 1 – #3 New Mexico vs. #6 San Jose State
- 6:05 PM: Game 2 – #4 UNLV vs. #5 San Diego State
Thursday, May 22:
- 1:05 PM: Game 3 – No. 1 UNR vs. Winner Game 2
- 6:05 PM: Game 4 – No. 2 Fresno State vs. Winner Game 1
Friday, May 23:
- 11:05 AM: Game 5 – Game 3 Loser vs. Game 4 Loser
- 3:05 PM: Game 6 – Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner
- 7:05 PM: Game 7 – Game 5 Winner vs. Game 6 Loser
Saturday, May 24:
- 12:05 PM: Game 7 – Game 6 Winner vs. Game 7 Winner
- 3:05 PM: Game 8 – Game 8 Winner vs. Game 8 Loser (if necessary)

Historically, UNLV holds a 79-103 record against San Diego State, but the Rebels have recently gained a competitive edge with three consecutive victories against the Aztecs. Their last encounter ended with a comprehensive sweep where they scored double-digit runs in two of the three games, a feat achieved during their series at home from April 25-27. However, it’s worth noting that earlier in the season, SDSU managed to sweep UNLV in three games during their series in San Diego from March 28-30.

As the tournament approaches, fans are encouraged to keep track of the action through live stats and streaming services that will be available on the Mountain West Network and UNLV’s athletic website.

The Rebels’ performance this season has set them up to compete with some of the best in the conference, including UNR, which secured the top seed with a 19-11 record, and Fresno State, who earned the No. 2 seed with an 18-12 record and will be striving to defend their MW tournament championship title. New Mexico rounds out the competitive field as the No. 3 seed. Meanwhile, San José State brought in the sixth seed with a record of 13-17 in Mountain West play.

A notable star for UNLV this season is Dean Toigo, who leads the Mountain West in several categories, including hits (83), runs batted in (74), and home runs (18). His performance has placed him among the national leaders, underscoring the Rebel’s chances in the upcoming championship.

The Rebels kicked off their season with expectations set high, having tied for fourth place in the Mountain West Preseason Poll, even earning a first-place vote. This momentum is further buoyed by the inclusion of 23 newcomers, including three true freshmen. Paul Myro IV’s selection to the All-Mountain West Preseason Team highlights the potential that the Rebels have heading into this critical championship tournament.