LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV baseball (1-6) lost a 5-1 decision to the Alabama Crimson Tide (7-0) to close out their three-game, nonconference series at Earl E. Wilson Stadium Sunday. All six runs in the contest came off of extra-base hits; however, the Crimson Tide's scoring was a result of three home runs, while the Rebels' was off an RBI double.
 
Alabama got the scoring started in the first inning off a two-run homer by Tyler Gentry. UNLV cut into its deficit in the third when James Gamble and Jack-Thomas Wold laced a pair of doubles in consecutive at-bats to right center. Gentry upped the Crimson Tide to three runs in the fifth with another two-run shot, while teammate Sam Praytor tacked on an insurance tally in the eighth with a solo homer.
 
The Crimson Tide's offense ran through its 1-4 batters, with the quartet accounting for all but one of the squad's hits, going 6-for-13 at the plate. Gentry was the primary catalyst, going 2-for-3 with two home runs, four RBI and two runs. Brett Auerbach also had two hits and added one run. Praytor accounted for one hit, one RBI and one run, while T.J. Reeves had one hit and one run.
 
UNLV's seven hits came from the top six batters in the lineup, with Wold and Alex Sardina registering two apiece. Gamble, Austin Pfeifer and Edarian Williams recorded one each.
 
Alabama's Antoine Jean (2-0) picked up the win in 4.0 innings of work, striking out three against one run off of five hits and one walk. Jacob McNairy followed Jean to the mound and also lasted 4.0 innings and allowed only two hits. Landon Green pitched the ninth for the Crimson Tide, striking out three and walking one.
 
UNLV's Josh Sharman (0-1) was saddled with the loss after going 6.2 innings. Sharman struck out five – all in the first two innings, but allowed four runs off five hits and three walks. Conner Woods threw 1.1 innings of relief, striking out one against one run and one hit. Haydn King closed out the contest, giving up one hit in the ninth.
 
QUOTABLE: "We competed hard against a more physical, athletic and talented SEC team," said head coach Stan Stolte. "I was very happy with the way we pitched all weekend and, in general, the energy we brought. It was a big improvement over week one, but obviously we have a long way to go."
 
UP NEXT: UNLV hits the road for the first time in 2020 with a trip to face the UC Riverside Highlanders in Riverside, California, Tuesday. First pitch between the Rebels and Highlanders is slated for 3:05 pm at the Riverside Sports Complex.
 
BACK AT EARL E.: UNLV returns to Las Vegas and Earl E. Wilson Stadium next weekend for a three-game, nonconference series against the Creighton Bluejays. Game one is scheduled for Friday evening at 6:05 pm, while Saturday (2:05 pm) and Sunday (1:05 pm) are both day games.