Box Score

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV baseball team (3-5) was on the wrong end of an 11-9 decision to the UC Riverside Highlanders (5-2) at Earl E. Wilson Stadium Tuesday night. Despite outhitting their opponent by one, 15-14, the Rebels were unable to overcome a trio of three-run home runs by the Highlanders en route to a loss in the opener of the two-game, midweek series.

The teams will reconvene at Wilson Stadium Wednesday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 pm.

UNLV entered the bottom of the ninth trailing by five runs and worked its offense to bring the would-be, game-tying run to the plate in its final at-bat. Justin Jones, who went 3-for-3 with three singles and three runs, got the comeback bid started with his second walk of the game. Jones came around to score off a one-out triple by pinch-hitter Max Smith to cut the deficit to four. Moments after a UCR pitching change that summoned Ryan Lillie from the bullpen, Kyle Isbel reached base via a four-pitch walk to put runners on the corners; however, the reliever was able to get Bryson Stott to strike out afterwards. Payton Squier and Nick Ames kept the team's momentum going with a pair of back-to-back singles. Smith was able to score off a wild pitch prior to Isbel coming around off Squier's hit. Unfortunately, Lillie closed out the contest by getting Ernie De La Trinidad to fly out to center for the final out.

"This is a tough midweek series for us," said head coach Stan Stolte. "UCR has already beaten some quality opponents this season. I saw more good things than bad tonight. We battled to the end and just need to make one more pitch or have one better at-bat. When you give up three three-run home runs, it's tough to overcome. I thought the toughness and intensity from both sides for a Tuesday game was fun to be a part of. If we can find some depth in out bullpen we have a chance to be successful. We'll get some guys more opportunities tomorrow."

The Rebels chased the Highlanders for the majority of the game, but briefly held a one-run lead after five innings of play. Isbel capped a stretch of one-run frames in the fifth with a sacrifice fly that put UNLV ahead 4-3.

UCR's 6-7-8-9 hitters â€" Yeager Taylor, Cody Sporrer, Casey Worden and Michael Farris â€" were the primary antagonists for UNLV. Both Taylor and Sporrer connected on consecutive leadoff base hits in both the second and sixth innings that were immediately followed by a pair of sacrifice bunts from Worden and three-run home runs by Farris.

Farris' first homer put the Highlanders ahead in the second inning while the second one turned a one-run deficit, 4-3, into a two-run lead.

In between the two long balls, UNLV had chipped away with one run in each of the second, third, fourth and fifth innings. Stott got UNLV on the scoreboard with a one-run single in the second that plated Jones, who had initially led off the frame with a walk. Jones factored in the scoring in the third, as he delivered a single to right field with two on that was eventually misplayed by the UCR's rightfielder and allowed De La Trinidad â€" led off with a single â€" to score on the defensive miscue. Ames and Stott teamed up for a run in the fourth when the former smashed a ball to left center that scored the latter, who had reached via a fielder's choice, from second base. Isbel followed an inning later with his go-ahead sac fly.

Right after Farris' second round tripper, UCR got two straight doubles from Colby Schultz and Mark Contreras, a walk to Connor Cannon and a three-run homer from Cade Peters. Those four extra runs upped the Highlanders edge to six at 10-4.

The Rebels answered back in the bottom of the sixth with RBI singles from Nick Rodriguez and Jones with runs scored by Squier and De La Trinidad.

UCR tacked on an insurance run in the top of the ninth when Contreras knocked Farris in with an RBI double.

Besides Jones' three-hit effort, the Rebels also got multiple-hit outings from De La Trinidad (three) and Squier (two). Jones scored a team-high three runs while De La Trinidad followed closely behind with two touchings of home plate.

UNLV's Tevita Gerber (0-2) was saddled with the loss after throwing 5.1 innings. Gerber, who struck out four, allowed six runs off of eight hits and one walk.

The Highlanders' Jared Morton (1-0) was credited with the win after throwing 1.2 frames of relief. Morton gave up one hit, but did not allow a run during his time on the mound.

Tickets can be purchased online and in-advance for $5 at UNLVTickets.com. Tickets purchased at the gate are $8 for adults, $6 for senior/faculty/staff, while kids 12 and under as well as UNLV students are free of charge.

NOTES: Stott has hit safely in all eight of UNLV's games this season and has scattered multiple-hits in six of those … Ames has hit safely in seven straight, as well … Three Rebels â€" Stott, Isbel and Squier â€" have all reached base safely in all eight contests … UNLV has registered double digits in hits six times this season, including Tuesday's 15-hit effort.