LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) — Jenny Bressler threw 10 strikeouts and the Rebels used two pinch-hit RBIs to take Sunday's game and the series against Utah State.

UNLV (32-11, 10-5 Mountain West) outlasted Utah State (25-20, 10-5) 2-1 to capture the tiebreaker in a three-way split for second place in the conference standings with nine games remaining.

"We've just got to keep working hard and keep fighting," UNLV head softball coach Kristie Fox said. "I like how our team bounced back after a tough one last night. There were a lot of things that happened similarly today that we stay composed through and took the 'W.'"

Bressler (W, 18-6) retired 21 of 25 batters faced and surrendered just one run on a solo homer by Gabriella Jimenez in the top of the sixth.

UNLV third baseman Lauryn Barker scored the first run of the game in the second inning. Barker reached on a two-out single and then USU starter Kapri Toone (L, 11-4) walked the bases loaded before surrendering a third consecutive base on balls to pinch hitter Jasmine Martin.

"We had two people come off the bench and have huge at-bats. Those RBIs were the difference-makers."

Alyssa Trejo's pinch-hit single in the fourth proved to be the game-winning run. Trejo plated Samantha Diaz, who doubled and advanced to third with Barker's sacrifice bunt. 

"For people to be focused and bought in on the bench, I think it speaks volumes to what our program is doing and where we're headed."

The Rebels' defense fought off the Aggies' only serious scoring chance in the third. Bri Lerma led off the top of the inning with a double and took third base on a wild pitch in the next at-bat. With zero outs on the board, Bressler pitched a ground out to second and covered a squeeze to put out Lerma at home before finishing the inning with a strikeout of Jimenez. 

UNLV faces New Mexico for three games in Albuquerque next week.