LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV Rebels fought back from a five-run deficit to take the lead in the eighth inning only to see the Utah Utes rally with a 10-run outburst in the ninth to claim their own come-from-behind victory by a final score of 16-7 at Earl E. Wilson Stadium Tuesday.
 
The visitors from the Beehive State struck early off of Rebel starter Troy Balko for five runs in the first inning, but were held to only one run over the following seven frames, while the Rebels answered back with seven runs of their own.
 
UNLV chipped away at the deficit with a run in both the second and third innings off a sac fly from Duke Pahukoa and an RBI single by Edarian Williams. The Rebels, who got a solo home run from Bryson Stott in the seventh, completed the rally in the eighth with four runs of their own thanks to run-producing at-bats from Max Smith (RBI double), Grant Robbins (two-run triple) and Pahukoa (sac fly).
 
Unfortunately, the Scarlet & Gray's edge was short lived, as the Utes mounted their own comeback bid in the ninth.
 
TURNING POINT: Moments after giving up four runs in the eighth and, subsequently, the lead to UNLV, Utah's bats erupted for 10 runs off of seven hits to quickly erase the one-run deficit. Rebel reliever Jackson Cofer (1-1) entered the contest in the ninth looking to nail down his fourth save of the season; however, the Utes got their first two runners on base off a single and a double, while a two-run single by Zack Moeller pushed the Pac-12 squad back in front. Cofer wound up allowing four runs off of four hits. Tallon Thomason and Ty Pohlmann followed Cofer to the mound in the inning, but the pair was unable to slow the Utes, combining to give up six runs more runs.
 
REBEL(S) OF THE GAME: Williams went 2-for-4 at the plate with a pair of singles that resulted in two runs and one RBI. He factored in the Rebels' first two runs of the game, scoring in the second off sac fly by Pahukoa and knocking in one with a single in the third. In the eighth, he reached base off a walk and came around to score on the game-tying base hit.
 
QUOTABLE: "We did a great job offensively in the eighth," said head coach Stan Stolte. "Jackson Cofer just had an off night. We, obviously, need a couple other guys to step up coming out of the bullpen."
 
STAT OF THE GAME: Utah's offense was limited to only one run off of three hits and one walk between the second and eighth innings; however, its combined production in the first and ninth innings was quite the opposite with 15 runs coming off of 10 hits and six walks.
 
REBEL NOTES:
- Despite the loss, UNLV still holds a 90-48 advantage in the all-time head-to-head series with Utah.
- Balko was credited with a no decision Tuesday after he allowed six runs off of five hits with two strikeouts against three walks.
- Paul Richy, Isaiah Montoya, Donavon McCrystal and Trent Bixby combined to throw 4.0 innings of scoreless relief, allowing only one hit and one walk between the fifth through eighth frames.
- Cofer was saddled with the loss after he was unable to record an out in the ninth, giving up four runs off of four hits.
- Thomason and Pohlmann each allowed three runs off of three hits in the ninth.
- Williams extended his hitting and reached-base streaks to eight games with two hits in Tuesday's affair.
- Since the second game of the season (Seattle/Feb. 16), Williams has hit .433 (13-for-30) with seven RBI and 10 runs. Additionally, he has scored at least once in all eight games of this stretch.
- James Gamble had his seven-game hitting and reached-base streaks come to an end Tuesday.
- Stott has five multiple-hit games this season after collecting a home run and a single Tuesday.
- Stott has 14 hits on the year, and 10 of those have gone for extra bases – four homers, four doubles and two triples – for a 1.030 slugging percentage.
 
UP NEXT: UNLV hits the road for its second straight weekend in the Golden State. After playing in the Bay Area last weekend, the Rebels will travel to the Central Valley to open Mountain West play against the Fresno State Bulldogs. The three-game series begins Friday night and continues through Sunday. The first two affairs are slated for 6:05 pm first pitches, while Sunday's finale is scheduled to start at 1:05 pm.
 
REBELS BACK HOME: UNLV returns to Las Vegas and Wilson Stadium next Tuesday (6:05 pm) to open a six-game homestand against the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners. The lengthy stretch continues with a three-game, weekend series against the Bradley Braves (March 8-10) and concludes with two midweek contests against the Washington State Cougars (March 12-13).
 
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.