LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV Rebels nearly matched the San Diego State Aztecs hit for hit – 13-15 – in their Mountain West series opener Friday night; however, the hosts were not able to keep up with the amount of runs the visitors from California produced in the 11-4 decision at Earl E. Wilson Stadium.
 
The difference in the contest was the quantity of runs manufactured from the long ball, as the Aztecs (26-17 overall, 11-7 MW) outscored the Rebels 10-1 with the help of five homers to one – a solo shot from Grant Robbins in the second. SDSU managed to clear the fences once in the first and twice in both the sixth and eighth innings.
 
Robbins led the Rebel offense with two RBI and two runs off a three-hit effort, while teammate Edarian Williams went 4-for-4 with one walk. Seth Mullis and James Gamble gave UNLV two more players with multiple-hit games, as each went 2-for-4 at the plate.
 
The scoring started quickly in the affair, as Julian Escobedo put the Aztecs in the lead early with a two-run homer in the first off UNLV starter Cameron Jabara (1-5). Robbins' answered back in the second with a blast to left off SDSU starter Michael Parades (2-2).
 
Both teams threatened to add to their respective sides of the scoreboard in the third, but each pitcher worked out of jams; Jabara forced SDSU to leave runners on the corners, while Parades' managed to come away unscathed after the Rebels loaded the bases with help from two walks and a single.
 
Casey Schmitt and Mike Jarvis put the game out of reach by knocking in eight of the Aztecs' final nine runs. Both used the long ball for the run production, as Schmitt had a solo homer (sixth) and a two-run dinger (eighth), while Jarvis hit a grand slam (sixth) and tacked on a solo shot (eighth).
 
UNLV managed to score three runs late, one coming off a dead ball situation in the sixth and two more from a sacrifice fly (Austin Pfeifer) and an RBI single (Grant Robbins) in the ninth.
 
REBEL OF THE GAME: Robbins tallied two of UNLV's three credited RBI in the game and scored two of the team's four runs after reaching safely in four of five plate appearances, with three hits and one walk.
 
STAT OF THE GAME: The Rebels stranded twice as many runners on base as the Aztecs – 12-6 – in the game, and left at least one batter on in seven of the nine innings. UNLV had five runners in scoring position – two at third and three at second – when the final out was made to conclude the at-bat. SDSU, on the other hand, only left six on: four at first and two at third.
 
QUOTABLE: "The long ball has just really burned us the past eight days," said head coach Stan Stolte. "We can't keep it in the yard and it's tough to succeed when you're giving up two- and three-run shots as often as we have lately."
  
REBEL NOTES:
- UNLV's Jabara suffered the loss in 5.1 innings of work, giving up eight runs off of 11 hits and one walk against three strikeouts.
- UNLV's Conner Woods surrendered three runs off of two hits in 1.1 innings of relief.
- SDSU's Parades earned the win in 5.0 innings, striking out two and allowing only one run off of six hits and three walks.
- SDSU reliever Jacob Flores notched a 4.0-inning save – his first of the year – with two strikeouts against three runs (one earned), seven hits and one walk.
- UNLV is 13-8 against nonconference competition this season and 10-12 against conference foes.
- UNLV is now 5-10 when scoring four or fewer runs in a game.
- UNLV is now 1-7 when allowing an opponent to score 10 or more runs in a game.
- UNLV is now 11-13 when allowing an opponent to score first, and 6-10 when an opponent scores in the first inning.
- UNLV is now 4-13 when it is outhit by an opponent.
- UNLV had four players record multiple-hit games: Williams (17th), Gamble (11th), Robbins (10th) and Mullis (third).
- Williams' four hits equal a career- and season-high haul that was previously achieved at Stanford (Feb. 24) earlier this year.
- Robbins now has three three-hit games this season, as tonight's joins Fresno State (March 1) and Washington State (March 13).
- Max Smith extended his reached-base streak to 27 games, while Gamble kept his going at 14.
- Bryson Stott's 18-game reached-base and 13-game hitting streaks came to an end Friday.
- Despite going without a hit Friday, Stott has produced a .448 batting average (26-for-58) with 11 extra-base hits (nine doubles and two homers) that has helped amass a .707 slugging percentage. With the combination of hits and 11 walks, he has a .536 on-base percentage. He's also scored 20 runs and knocked in 16 RBI.
- Dillon Johnson had one hit Friday and has hit safely in 13 of the last 14 games, producing a .368 batting average (21-for-57) with seven extra-base hits (six doubles and one homer) for a .526 slugging percentage. Johnson also has a .439 on-base percentage with the addition of seven walks. He has scored 12 runs and knocked in 10 RBI during this stretch.
 
UP NEXT: UNLV and SDSU return to Earl E. Wilson Stadium for game two Saturday night at 6:05 pm. The contest is being billed as "Bark in the Park Night," and all fans wishing to bring their dogs to the game must fill out a waiver & release form as well as bring up-to-date pet vaccination forms to be allowed into the facility. There will also be a special collapsible water bowl giveaway. Rebel football head coach Tony Sanchez will be on hand to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
  
PURCHASE TICKETS: 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.