LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV Rebels (7-6) began their six-game homestand in dominant fashion with a 6-1 win over the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners (5-9) at Earl E. Wilson Stadium Tuesday night. UNLV's offense scored its six runs off of 11 hits, while the duo of Bradley Spooner (1-0) and Troy Balko struck out seven and limited CSUB's bats to only three hits.
 
The Rebels, who have won three of their last four outings, jumped out to an early 1-0 lead when Max Smith and Grant Robbins began the second with a double and an RBI single, respectively, off CSUB starter Isaiah Moten (0-2). The home team's advantage grew to three runs in the third when Dillon Johnson's single was followed by a two-run home run to right-center by Jack-Thomas Wold.
 
The Scarlet & Gray capped its offensive in the sixth with an RBI double from Jacob Godman and a two-run single from James Gamble off CSUB reliever Kyle King.
 
Spooner, who has started all three Saturday games this season, got the start after seeing limited work this past weekend due to the postponement of his outing at Fresno State. The junior transfer from Saddleback College threw 3.0 innings for his first win as a Rebel, striking out three against two hits.
 
Balko threw the final 6.0 frames and recorded his first save as a Rebel, while striking out three. He only allowed one hit and struck out four, while the only run he allowed was unearned – in the ninth – and was the result of the fourth defensive miscue by UNLV in the game.
 
TURNING POINT(S): CSUB managed to get a runner to third base in four of the first five innings, with three of those a result of Rebel errors; however, Spooner and Balko were able to get out of each frame unscathed. Delving deeper, the Rebel hurlers had to overcome three instances in this span where a 'Roadrunner runner had advanced to third with only one out and one occasion with two outs. Ultimately, Spooner and Balko's efforts were rewarded as their offense produced three early runs.
 
REBEL(S) OF THE GAME: Spooner and Balko share the designation for their combined three-hitter against CSUB.
 
STAT OF THE GAME: UNLV got at least one hit from seven different players. Four of them – Godman, Johnson, Smith and Wold – had two hits apiece and, in turn, were responsible for five runs and three RBI.
 
QUOTABLE: "(Bradley) Spooner and (Troy) Balko were solid tonight," said head coach Stan Stolte. "We need both of them to be good for us to have a good year. I'm very disappointed in our defense. It's unacceptable to commit the four errors we did. We need to clean that up. No win is easy, so I'm pleased to we got this one."
 
REBEL NOTES:
- With the win, UNLV improved to 4-1 all-time against CSUB.
- UNLV improved to 5-1 when it scores six or more runs in a game.
- UNLV improved to 5-2 when it allows five or fewer runs in a game.
- UNLV improved to 4-1 when it scores first
- Williams extended his hitting and reached-base streaks to 12 games after Tuesday's contest.
- Since the second game of the season (Seattle/Feb. 16), Williams is hitting .413 (19-for-46) with five multiple-hit games, and produced 13 runs and 12 RBI.
- James Gamble has hit safely in 11 of the past 12 games, and has a .306 batting average (15-for-49) during this stretch. The only game he was hitless was last Tuesday against Utah (Feb. 26).
-Smith has 10 hits in his last six games – four of which resulted in two hits – for a .370 batting average (.10-for-27) to go along with four runs and three RBI.
-Godman has played in seven games with six starts and has four two-hit efforts, including Tuesday's vs. CSUB. In all, he has nine hits with at least one in five games.
-With his two hits Tuesday, Johnson has gone 7-for-18 (.389) at the plate with three runs and one RBI in his last four games.
 
UP NEXT: UNLV continues its homestand with a three-game, nonconference series against the Missouri Valley's Bradley Braves, which runs Friday through Sunday. Friday's affair is scheduled for a 6:05 pm first pitch, while Saturday and Sunday are set for 2:05 pm and 1:05 pm, respectively.
 
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.