Final Stats

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (UNLVRebels.com) -- UNLV baseball (16-23, 3-15 Mountain West) battled to force extra innings against UC Riverside (12-26) on Tuesday, but the Highlanders used a two-run home run in the bottom of the 11th inning to claim the 8-6 victory.

The Rebels trailed UCR 5-3 heading into the final inning of regulation, but Erik VanMeetren made a rare pinch hitting appearance and led off the ninth inning with a single for UNLV. VanMeetren moved to second after his brother A.J. VanMeetren drew a walk and both advanced a base when Joey Swanner bunted for a hit down the third base line. Pinch hitter A.J. Hernandez singled to right field, allowing the elder VanMeetren to score. A.J. VanMeetren plated the tying run home when the Highlander pitcher committed a balk.

Zack Hartman came in for relief for the Rebels in the ninth inning and looked sharp, inducing a fly to right field and striking out the next two batters on seven pitches.

UNLV captured its only lead of the game in the top of the 10th inning when Edgar Montes scored on an A.J. VanMeetren single.

The Rebels took their one-run lead into the home half of the 10th, but back-to-back walks set the table for a Highlander pinch hitter to drive in the tying run on a single to right field with two outs. UCR would leave the bases loaded as Hartman recorded his third strikeout of the game to get UNLV out of the jam.

After the Rebels went down in order in the top of the 11th, the Highlanders' Vince Fernandez ended the game when he took the fourth pitch he saw over the center field wall in the home half of the inning.

UCR opened the game by plating two runs in the first inning before UNLV scored its first run in the third inning when Nick Rodriguez scored on a Joey Armstrong single.

The Highlanders got the run back in the home half of the third inning, but the Rebels tied the game at three in the fifth inning when Armstrong hit a single to right field driving in Andrew Yazdanbakhsh and Austin Anderson.

UC Riverside answered by recapturing the lead in the home half of the fifth after scoring two runs of its own.

Joey Armstrong led UNLV, both offensively and defensively. He finished the game 2-for-6 from the plate with three RBI and a stolen base. Defensively he made three put outs and collected two outfield assists, which gives him nine this season. Erik VanMeetren also finished with multiple hits, going 2-for-2 after entering the contest in the ninth inning.

Matt Thomas (0-1) took the loss and was the last of 10 Rebel pitchers that saw the mound against UCR. Joey Lauria started the game and he threw an inning before giving way to Zak Qualls who tossed two innings. Qualls allowed one hit, which was a home run, and struck out three of the seven batters he faced. Dan Skelly came in for the fourth inning and allowed one hit. Jack Freedman came out in the fifth inning, but after allowing two hits and a walk without recording an out he was replaced by Cody Roper. Christian Myers, Kenny Oakley and Corey Wilson all tossed an inning before Hartman entered the game in the ninth inning.

UNLV returns home and will resume Mountain West play on Friday with a three-game set against Air Force.

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.