SAN JOSE, Calif. (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV Rebels were on the wrong end of a 2-1 decision against the San Jose State Spartans Friday night in Mountain West play at Municipal Stadium. The Rebels (11-8 overall, 2-2 MW) carried a one-run lead into the ninth inning, but was unable to fend off the Spartans (10-7, 4-3) who rallied for a pair of runs in their final at-bat.
The Scarlet & Gray pushed across the game's first run off a sacrifice fly in the third inning from
Jack-Thomas Wold, who stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded.
Jacob Godman, who scored on Wold's fly out to left field, led off the inning with a walk and then moved 90 feet at a time off singles from
James Gamble and
Dillon Johnson.
The Spartans capitalized on their scoring opportunity in the ninth after they had left runners at third base in the second, sixth and seventh. Johnny Mendoza knotted the affair at 1-all with an RBI single after the first two batters had reached safely off a single and a double. The game came to an end three batters later off a wild pitch.
REBEL OF THE GAME: Rebel starter
Cameron Jabara (1-1) held the Spartans scoreless through eight innings, but was unable to finish the bid for the complete game. Jabara struck out four batters against two runs off of 10 hits and two walks. In addition to his four strikeouts, he recorded 15 groundouts and two flyouts, induced a pair of double plays.
STAT OF THE GAME: The Rebel offense was held to a season-low two hits – both occurring in the third – by Spartan pitchers Andrew Mitchel and Fineas Bonta-Smith. Additionally, it was the first game all season that UNLV has been held without an extra-base hit.
QUOTABLE: "That was a great effort by Cameron (Jabara) in a tough loss," said head coach
Stan Stolte. "In these tight, conference games, especially Friday nights, every time we don't execute a bunt, miss a sign, etc. it can come back to haunt you and that's what happened tonight."
REBEL NOTES:
- Despite the loss, UNLV leads the all-time series 42-30 over SJSU.
- UNLV is now 5-3 in one-run games this season.
- UNLV is 1-4 in games it scores two or fewer runs.
- UNLV is 4-1 in games that it holds an opponent to two or fewer runs.
- UNLV is 6-2 in games it scores first.
- UNLV suffered its first loss when leading after six (8-1) and seven (7-1) innings, and its second loss when leading after eight (7-2).
- SJSU's Mitchel earned a no decision after throwing 8.0 innings with six strikeouts against four walks and two hits.
- SJSU's Bonta-Smith (2-1) picked up the win in 1.0 inning of relief.
-
Edarian Williams had his 17-game hitting streak snapped Friday after going 0-for-2 at the plate with one walk.
UP NEXT: UNLV and SJSU continues their Mountain West series at Municipal Stadium through Sunday. The Rebels and Spartans will square off Saturday at 2:00 pm before wrapping up the three-game set Sunday at 12:00 pm, respectively.
BACK AT EARL E.: Following its second trip to the Bay Area this season, UNLV will return to Las Vegas and Earl E. Wilson Stadium for nine straight games. The Rebels will open the lengthy homestand against Cal State Northridge Tuesday (2:05 pm) before welcoming intrastate rival UNR to town for three (March 22-24). UC Riverside (March 26-27) and New Mexico (March 29-31) will also travel to Southern Nevada to face the Rebels.
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.
