LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV baseball team (1-1) picked up its first win of the 2019 season Saturday with help from five unanswered runs in a 11-10, come-from-behind triumph over the Seattle Redhawks (1-1) at Earl E. Wilson Stadium. The Rebels scored twice in both the eighth and ninth before Dillon Johnson ended the 10-inning affair in dramatic fashion with a walk-off RBI single to score Jacob Godman from third base.
 
The Scarlet & Gray's five-run barrage over the final three frames was the fourth outburst of as many runs by the two squads in the contest. Max Smith put UNLV ahead early with a solo home run in the second inning; however, the Redhawks countered with three runs in the third and two more in the fourth to push out to a 5-1 lead. The Rebels answered back with three in their half of the fourth and two in the fifth to reclaim a one-run cushion, 6-5.
 
The game shifted dramatically in Seattle's favor in the sixth when its offense scored five in the inning off of three hits, one of which was a grand slam by Justin Mazzone.
 
UNLV cut into the deficit with two runs in the eighth and drew even in the ninth with two more, but left the potential game-winning run at second base when the inning ended.
 
Moments after UNLV reliever Jackson Cofer (1-0) retired the Redhawks in order in the top of the 10th, Godman led off the home half of the frame with a single to center off of Seattle's Brayden Weyer (0-1), and quickly made his way to third base following a sacrifice bunt by Duke Pahukoa and a fly out by James Gamble. Johnson capped off the game two batters later with a single up the middle.
 
THE TURNING POINT: After giving up 10 runs through six innings of action, UNLV's bullpen settled down and did not allow a run, while striking out eight Seattle batters the remainder of the affair. Donavon McCrystal, Matthew Mitchell, Paul Richy, Conner Woods and Cofer combined to throw 4.2 innings and surrendered only three hits and one walk. In fact, only two batters made their way on base for the Redhawks, both coming in the ninth.
 
REBEL OF THE GAME: Godman was a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate after entering the game as UNLV's catcher in the eighth inning. In his first at-bat of the game, which was also his first as a Rebel, he drilled a comebacker up the middle off of Seattle reliever Drake Maningo that resulted in a run. Two innings later, he led off with a single and came around to score the game-winning run.
 
QUOTABLE: "Great comeback win versus a well-coached team," said UNLV head coach Stan Stotle. "We had too many good at-bats by so many guys to mention them all. It was great to see our freshmen step up and be in the middle of the comeback. The team picked me up; I made a couple decisions in the middle of the game that didn't work out quite so well."
 
STAT OF THE GAME: There were a total of 39 players used in the game, with UNLV responsible for 22 of those. The teams sent a total of 15 pitchers to the mound, nine by the Rebels alone.
 
REBEL NOTES:
- Cofer, a senior transfer from Utah Valley, earned his first win as a Rebel in one-inning of scoreless relief. He struck out one and did not allow a hit or walk in his 10th-inning appearance.
- Bradley Spooner made his first start as a Rebel after pitching the past two years at Saddleback College. Spooner struck out two and allowed five runs off of seven hits and one walk.
- Seattle's Weyer was tagged with the loss after he surrendered one run off of two hits and one walk in the 10th.
- Bryson Stott went 3-for-4 at the plate with a double, two RBI and one run.
- The Rebels had five players produce multiple-hit games: Stott (three), Grant Robbins (two), Seth Mullis (two), Godman (two) and James Gamble (two).
- Nine different Rebels had at least one RBI, while nine scored at least one run; Jack-Thomas Wold and Robbins scored twice apiece.
- Dating back to the 2018 season, Johnson has hit safely in eight straight games and 13 of the last 14 played by UNLV.
- Six Rebels played in their first NCAA Division I games Saturday - Trent Bixby (junior/College of Southern Idaho), Sage Diehm (junior/College of Southern Nevada), Godman (freshman), Joshua Harmonay (junior/Allan Hancock College), Pahukoa (freshman) and Spooner (junior) – while Cofer (senior) pitched at Utah Valley from 2015-18.
 
UP NEXT: UNLV and Seattle close out their three-game series Sunday at Earl E. Wilson Stadium, with first pitch slated for 1:05 pm.
 
PURCHASE TICKETS: Tickets are now on sale for the 2019 season. Season tickets are just $90 for adults (13 and older) and $75 for UNLV faculty, staff and alumni, and seniors (62-plus). Single-game ticket prices this season are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, faculty and staff seniors, and $4 for groups of 15 or more. Fans that purchase tickets online up to three hours prior to first pitch can get them for an advanced single-game price of $5.
 
All high school, middle school and elementary students are now free under UNLV's new admission policy. To receive free admission, high school students must present valid Nevada area school I.D. at the box office on gameday to receive one (1) complimentary ticket. All other students will receive a complimentary ticket at the box office (no I.D. required). Kids not yet elementary school age will continue to receive free admission for all UNLV Olympic sports.