USAFA, Colo. (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV (18-18, 5-10 MW) battled against Air Force (14-22, 7-8 MW) in a tightly contested game but a five-run Falcon seventh inning was the difference maker in a 10-9 Hustlin' Rebels loss on Sunday afternoon at Erdle Field. UNLV was up 7-5 in the seventh inning, but three extra-base hits, including an Air Force home run, carried them to a victory.

HOW IT WENT DOWN: UNLV capitalized on early defensive miscues by Air Force, scoring three unearned runs in the second inning. Chase Ditmar and JP Hefft each delivered RBI singles, with Elijah Rodriguez following suit to drive in another run. The Hustlin' Rebels added three more in the fourth thanks to a flurry of hits, including RBI knocks from Hefft and Rodriguez, and a sacrifice fly by Dean Toigo, giving UNLV a 6-2 cushion. Hefft continued to power the Rebel offense, blasting a solo homer in the sixth, his third hit of the game, to extend the lead to 7-2. The Falcons chipped away with three runs in the bottom of the sixth, aided by three walks and a key RBI single by Zach Peters. Air Force would go on to send nine men to the plate in the seventh inning. After a solo homer from designated hitter Walker Zapp, the Falcons erupted for four more, capped by a two-run double by Ben Niednagel to take a 10-7 lead. UNLV clawed back in the eighth, narrowing the deficit to 10-9 with an RBI single from Rodriguez and a sacrifice fly from Toigo. Rodriguez, who finished with three hits and three RBI, also reached base four times. The Rebels had a chance in the ninth after pinch-hitter Mikey Cruz Jr. led off with a single, but couldn't convert. A fielder's choice, strikeout, and fly out ended the threat and sealed the Falcons a series victory, winning two out of the three games this on the weekend.

QUOTABLE: "Kids fought to the final out in a tough environment. Wind was a factor all day like it normally is here. Sam Simon gave us a chance but we didn't make a play on defense and then the bullpen imploded. Hit some balls hard but right at them."
-Head Coach Stan Stolte

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Hefft and Rodriguez recorded a trio of hits apiece, with the former going 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBI, while the latter went 3-for-5 with three singles.
- Hefft's three-hit effort was his fifth of the season, while Rodriguez's three-hit game was his fourth of the season.
- Koniarsky has stretched his hitting streak to eight games after going 1-for-5
- Alex Overbay was credited with his second loss of the season after going 1.2 innings in relief where he gave up five hits on five earned runs and struck out three batters.

UP NEXT: UNLV returns to Las Vegas and Earl E. Wilson Stadium on April 17-19 in a three-game series against the New Mexico Lobos.