Aztecs begin second half of MWC play at UNLV

Blue Man Group, Jersey Boys, Cirque du Soleil, Rock of Ages. ... There are so many shows to see in Las Vegas. This is a business trip for the Aztecs, however. They rolled into town a game out of first place in the Mountain West Conference as the second half of conference play begins.

Here's a look at the series:

FRIDAY

SDSU RHP Michael Cederoth (3-4, 2.85) vs. UNLV RHP Erick Fedde (4-1, 2.98), 6:05 p.m.

SATURDAY

SDSU RHP Philip Walby (1-2, 3.96) vs. UNLV RHP Buddy Borden (4-1, 2.12) vs. , 2:05 p.m.

SUNDAY

SDSU RHP Ryan Doran (6-2, 2.54) UNLV RHP Kenny Oakley (3-2, 3.00), 1:05 p.m.

MOUNTAIN WEST STANDINGS
New Mexico (11-4, 21-16)
San Diego State (10-5, 19-17)
UNLV (8-7, 24-12)
Nevada (7-8, 19-17)
Air Force (4-9, 10-23)
Fresno State (3-10, 8-24)

THE SERIES
SDSU leads the overall series 70-46 and has won 20 of the past 24 meetings, including winning two of three games when the teams met at Tony Gwynn Stadium last month. A 5-4 walk-off win in the series finale highlighted the weekend.

SDSU GLANCE
The Aztecs have boosted their team batting average to .261, led by catcher Jake Romanski (.369), first baseman Ryan Muno (.353) and second baseman Tim Zier (.317). The biggest run producers have been Zier (24 RBI), third baseman Ty France (22), Romanski (19), Muno (17) and center fielder Greg Allen (16). France has hit three of the team's seven home runs. The stolen base leaders are Allen (11) and Zier (10). ... If the team's .976 fielding percentage holds up it would break the school record .974 set in 2009. ... Sophomore Michael Cederoth has 25 strikeouts over his last two starts. Senior Ryan Doran has won four straight decisions since losing March 9 at Arkansas.

UNLV GLANCE
The Rebels come into the series after a 24-11 midweek victory against UC Riverside. ... The team's 10 home runs are split between Brandon Bayardi (.343, 7 HR, 27 RBI) and Mark Shannon (.331, 3 HR, 34 RBI). Other offensive leaders include Patrick Armstrong (.393, 18 RBI), T.J. White (.331, 23 RBI) and Joey Swanner (.323, 21 RBI). Shannon and Armstrong share the stolen base lead with nine apiece. White went 7-for-7 in the win over Riverside. ... Andrew Beresford has been effective — and fortunate — in a relief role, leading the team with five victories achieved in team-leading 12 appearances covering just 17.1 innings.