Nov. 4, 2016 LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The first game of the Scarlet & Gray World Series went to the Scarlet team with all of game one's scoring taking place in the bottom of the third inning. With the win, the Payton Squier-led squad jumps out to an early 1-0 lead in the three-game series that will continue Tuesday and Friday at Earl E. Wilson Stadium. First pitch for the remaining contests is set for 9:15 am, and admission is free of charge.
The Scarlet took control of the game early off a sacrifice fly by Max Smith that plated Nick Rodriguez, who had led off with a single off Gray starter Larry Quaney. Later in the inning and with Chase Maddux on the mound, the Scarlet got a pair of two-run singles from Austin Anderson and Carlos Robles.
"It was a great team win," noted Squier. "Every person showed up today with a lot of energy and grit which was great to see. Alan Strong pitched lights out and then our bullpen held it down with great outings from Connor (Clark), Jake (Lewis) and Christian (Myers). Offensively, everybody produced and had team at-bats, which is what I was hoping we would do. Some great two-out hits got us going. Grant Robbins and Austin Anderson are just some of the guys in our lineup that had great at-bats all day. I told them before the game just to have more energy than the other team and the game will find a way to reward us and that's what happened."
Alan Strong got the start for the Scarlet and went 3.0 innings, struck out two and allowed one hit.
"I felt good today everything was working, and our defense played really well behind me," noted Strong. "our hitters did their job. I'm excited to get this season rolling with these guys."
At the dish, Anderson was 2-for-3 with two RBI, while Robles and Smith went 1-for-3 and 1-for-2, respectively.
