News Summary
The UNLV Hustlin’ Rebels baseball team claimed a significant win over the Air Force Falcons, ensuring their participation in the Mountain West Baseball Tournament. With a final regular season record of 30-22, the Rebels showcased impressive improvements, particularly in the latter half of the season. Key players like Dean Toigo and Cooper Sheff made notable contributions, highlighted by Toigo’s 19-game hitting streak. Despite facing challenges in the Mountain West Championship, the team has demonstrated resilience and potential for future success in collegiate baseball.
Las Vegas, Nevada – The UNLV Hustlin’ Rebels baseball team celebrated a significant victory on Friday night, defeating the Air Force Falcons 10-4 at Earl E. Wilson Stadium. This win ensured the Rebels’ spot in the 2025 Credit Union 1 Mountain West Baseball Tournament, marking their return to the tournament for the first time since 2022. With a final record of 30-22 overall and 15-14 in conference play, the Rebels showcased their resilience and determination throughout the season.
Head coach Stan Stolte acknowledged the importance of this achievement but also stressed that the team would not celebrate prematurely. The Rebels demonstrated impressive improvement in the second half of the season, bouncing back from a challenging start with a 5-10 conference record. They finished strong, winning 10 out of their last 14 conference games, a performance that ultimately secured their postseason berth.
During the pivotal game against Air Force, outfielder Dean Toigo extended his hitting streak to 19 games, hitting a home run that contributed to the team’s victory. Infield player Cooper Sheff also made a significant impact by hitting a home run in the same game. This strong offensive showing helped set a positive tone for the Rebels, who displayed their capabilities on their home turf.
UNLV continued its success by winning the series finale against the Falcons the following day, securing a tight victory of 9-8. However, after concluding their regular season, the Rebels faced a tough challenge in the Mountain West Championship, where they lost to San Diego State 8-0 in the opening round. During that game, the Rebels struggled to find their rhythm offensively, managing only six hits and leaving 10 runners stranded on the base paths, with Carson Lane taking the loss for the team.
The Rebels’ participation in the championship tournament has historically been difficult; they hold an all-time record of 30-36 at the Mountain West Championship and a 9-17 record in elimination games. Despite their challenges in this postseason, the team’s overall performance throughout the regular season remains commendable.
At home, the Rebels enjoyed a particularly strong run, finishing with a 19-7 record at Earl E. Wilson Stadium, while struggling somewhat on the road with an 8-13 record. This home-field advantage has been crucial to their success and likely contributed to their ability to rally back in the second half of the season.
In recognition of their individual and team accomplishments this season, Dean Toigo was awarded a share of the Mountain West’s Tony Gwynn Player of the Year, becoming only the fifth Rebel in history to achieve this honor. He was not the only player to be highlighted for his performance, as teammate Carson Lane was named to the First Team of the 2025 MW All-Conference Teams. Additionally, Cole Koniarsky and LJ Mercurius earned Second Team honors, reflecting the overall strength of the Rebels’ roster.
The 2025 Credit Union 1 Mountain West Baseball Tournament is expected to showcase the talent and tenacity of the UNLV Hustlin’ Rebels, setting the stage for a promising future in the conference. As the team prepares for the tournament, they aim to build on their recent successes and further their pursuit of excellence in collegiate baseball.
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Additional Resources
- UNLV Rebels: Season Ends in MW Tournament
- Wikipedia: Mountain West Conference
- UNLV Rebels: Punch Ticket to MW Tournament
- Google Search: UNLV Hustlin’ Rebels Baseball
- UNLV Rebels: Fioroni & Little Named PING All-Region
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Baseball
- UNLV Rebels: Walk Off Falcons on Wild Pitch
- Google News: UNLV Rebels Baseball
- UNLV Rebels: Women’s Track & Field Qualifies for NCAA Regionals
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