LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - It took 15 innings, but UNLV baseball (10-10) captured a 9-8 victory over Northwestern (4-14) in the series opener between the two schools on Friday night at Earl E. Wilson Stadium.
Rebel senior
Joey Swanner was facing a full count when he came up with a walk-off single to right field in the bottom of the 15th inning, driving in
Dylan Ellis from second to end the game.
UNLV needed the extra frames after Northwestern scored four runs in the eighth inning and two runs in the ninth to tie the game.
The Rebels opened the game with four runs in the first inning. The first three UNLV batters reached and
Morgan Stotts hit a career grand slam to give the Rebels a 4-0 lead.
UNLV extended its lead to 6-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning when
Joey Armstrong singled through the left side, driving in Swanner and
Austin Anderson.
Northwestern plated its first two runs of the game, both unearned, in the top of the fifth inning.
Erik VanMeetren hit his second home run of the season and fifth of his career in the seventh inning to extend the Rebels' lead to 7-2.
The Wildcats followed up by plating four runs in the top of the eighth inning to make it a 7-6 game.
In the home half of the eighth,
Nick Rodriguez hit a two out single to center field, driving in
Dylan Ellis. Northwestern tied the game in the top of the ninth after plating two runs.
Swanner, Stotts and Anderson all finished with three hits in the game to lead the Rebels from the plate. Stotts also finished with a team-high four RBI.
Senior
Joey Lauria (2-0) earned the win after pitching 6.1 innings of relief, where he allowed only two hits while striking out five. UNLV starter
D.J. Myers tossed 7.0 quality innings, allowing two unearned runs on eight hits while striking out six.
Christian Myers and
Zack Hartman also made pitching appearances for the Rebels.
UNLV and Northwestern will play a doubleheader on Saturday, with the first game slated to start at 12:05 p.m. PT.
Fans can purchase their tickets to the games online and save money. Visit UNLVtickets.com to purchase a ticket for just $5 and select the "Free Will-Call" option. The deal expires three hours before the first pitch of every home game. Prices for individual games are $8 for adults, $6 for faculty/staff and seniors and $4 for groups of 15 or more (group tickets must be purchased at least one day in advance for the game). Children 12 and under and UNLV students with a valid student I.D. are free.
This season at Earl E. Wilson Stadium, fans will enjoy a new and improved concession stand. Smoken Sams catering will be providing entrees that range from barbecue sandwiches, hot dogs and hamburgers to nachos, chicken fingers and fries. A variety of beverages will also be available.
