"It's great," Bryant said of the sweep. "We're still in (title contention) with the sweep. If we keep playing well, we're very capable."

On a day he had to have his best — his counterpart Shane Brechmann was pretty much matching him through seven innings of scoreless ball — Bryant (6-3) was superb. He located his fastball where he wanted. His curveball and changeup also worked to precision. All this while battling a blister on his right foot, the one he pushes off the rubber with. His foot was bleeding during the game.

"I've had it since Reno (at the Nevada series April 8-10)," Bryant said of his foot blister. "I drive my foot, built up a blister and it finally exploded at San Jose."

Adding more aggravation, he has been pitching with a cut on the middle finger of his throwing hand that is caused by the finger nail pushing against his skin. The senior said that happens when he throws his curveball. While he has had the finger cut most of the season, it doesn't affect his ability to grip and release his pitches, he said. He said he just cleans up the bleeding between innings because he can't pitch with an adhesive on it.

"I'll put some ointment on it and squeeze all the blood out," he said.

After Thursday's series opener against Nevada, he will have about two weeks to give his foot and finger time to heal for the final three series of the season. After this series, the Rainbows don't play again until May 12 against Fresno State.

Bryant was so effective against the Spartans, he used only 103 pitches, allowing only three base runners. Only one reached third base, while the other two got to second, but were stranded there. He allowed two hits and a walk with four strikeouts. He got 15 outs on grounders. The Rainbows have yet to throw a complete game this season. Bryant felt he could've finished, but had no argument about Steven Wright locking the door for the final out.

"I thought I could finish it, but you gotta do what you gotta do," Bryant said. "I trust the bullpen. We won that ballgame. That's all I care about."

The Rainbows (21-23 overall, 8-10 WAC) are in fifth place in the WAC, three games behind first-place Rice (29-14, 11-7).

Nevada (20-17, 9-6) is in second place in the WAC, a half-game back of the Owls.

PROMOTION

Students eighth grade and under with perfect attendance this academic year are eligible for free tickets to the UH-Nevada games on either Thursday or Friday, UH announced.

Teachers are asked to fax names of students with perfect attendance on school stationery to 956-4637 by 5 p.m. tomorrow. The students' names and the date they prefer to attend the game must be listed.