Box Score April 3, 2018 Box Score
PHOENIX (UNLVRebels.com) - The No. 26 UNLV baseball team (22-8), which is in the midst of a nine-game road trip, found itself on the wrong side of the decision Tuesday night, as the Rebels lost 5-3 to the Grand Canyon Lopes (13-14). The host Lopes rallied for three runs in the bottom of the eighth to overcome a one-run deficit to claim game one of the two-game series at Brazell Field at GCU Ballpark.
The Lopes, which led 2-1 early in the contest, turned things around with a lead-off walk, an RBI triple and a squeeze bunt in the eighth. Zach Malis opened the inning with a four-pitch walk issued by Austin Anderson (2-1). Moments after Malis stole second, Preston Pavlica tripled to left-center field to knot the score at 3-all. Two batters later, Dane Stankiewicz stepped into the batter's box as a pinch-hitter and dropped down a bunt that allowed Pavlica to score. GCU tacked on an insurance tally two batters later when a fielding error was committed.
UNLV opened the game with a 2-out, solo home run from Kyle Isbel. GCU answered with a run in the bottom of the first and another in the third before the Rebels scored twice in the sixth off an RBI ground out from Nick Rodriguez and a wild pitch.
THE TURNING POINT: The Rebels were looking to add to their lead in the top of the eighth, but left a runner at third base. Bryson Stott led off the inning with a single and moved 90 feet at a time off a sacrifice bunt and a ground out, but a strikeout ended the frame. GCU countered in the bottom half with its three-run half inning.
REBEL OF THE GAME: Stott went 3-for-4 with three singles and a run.
QUOTABLE: "I thought we were a little sluggish tonight and the game never rewards that," said head coach Stan Stolte. "We got what we deserved against a fundamentally sound team. The kids are tired, but there's no excuse. We need to tighten it up and bounce back tomorrow."
STAT OF THE GAME: Stott and Grant Robbins combined for a 5-for-8 night at the plate, while the rest of the team was 2-for-23.
REBEL NOTES:
- The Rebels' 22-8 record is the best start through 30 games in program history.
- The Rebels are 15-3 in nonconference contests and 7-5 in Mountain West games.
- The Rebels are 15-3 in home games and 7-5 in road games.
- The Rebels are now 3-2 on Tuesdays.
- The Rebels are now 2-2 in 2-run games.
- The Rebels are now 6-4 when scoring five runs or less, and 2-1 when they score exactly three runs in a game.
- The Rebels are now 10-4 when opponents are held to five runs or less, and 1-2 when an opponent scores exactly five runs in a game.
- The Rebels are now 16-1 when scoring first, and 9-2 when scoring in the first inning.
- The Rebels are now 16-1 when leading after the sixth inning, 17-1 when leading after the seventh, and 1-7 when trailing after eight.
- The Rebels are now 4-6 when they are outhit by an opponent.
- Two Rebels notched multiple-hit games: Stott (20th) and Robbins (10th).
- Three Rebels extended their double-digit reached-base streaks: Robbins (24th), Stott (18th) and Isbel (18th).
UP NEXT: UNLV and Grand Canyon close out the two-game, nonconference series Wednesday at 2:00 pm. The Rebels will then travel across the country to West Virginia to face the Mountaineers Friday through Sunday.
BACK AT EARL E.: UNLV returns to Las Vegas and Earl E. Wilson Stadium on April 10 (6:05 pm) against the Arizona State Sun Devils. The day is a $2 Tuesday with $2 hot dogs, $2 sodas and $2 off beer. Also, the first 250 fans will receive a collector's coin, which is the first of three this season -- with other coins handed out on April 14 and May 11.
SINGLE-GAME TICKETS: Fans can purchase single-game tickets online and in-advance for only $5; however, they must be purchased through UNLVTickets.com three hours prior to first pitch. Single-game tickets for the 12 remaining home games are priced at $8 for adults, $6 for senior/faculty/staff and $4 for groups of 15 or more. As always, UNLV students (with Rebel Card) and kids 12 and under are always free.
