ST. GEORGE, Utah (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV Hustlin' Rebels (24-20) powered their way to a 17-3 eight-inning run-rule triumph over Utah Tech (17-25), fueled by a six-run eighth inning that sealed the deal on Tuesday night at Bruce Hurst Field. UNLV has now won a season tying-high five straight games.
HOW IT WENT DOWN: After a scoreless first frame for both sides, UNLV's bats ignited in the second with a pair of two-run bombs. Nicky Garritano opened the scoring with his first home run of the season following a hit-by-pitch to Chase Ditmar. Two batters later, Dean Toigo crushed another long ball, his team-high 13th home run of the season, bringing in two more and giving UNLV an early 4-0 cushion. Utah Tech answered briefly in the third with a two-run home run from Ryan Kroepel, narrowing the gap to 4-2. After a brief scoring lull, the Rebels broke the game wide open in the sixth inning, capitalizing on a fielding error to ignite a five-run frame. Toigo delivered again, this time with a two-RBI double down the right field line. Elijah Rodriguez and pinch-hitter JP Hefft followed with RBI doubles of their own, and Cole Koniarsky tripled to the right-center gap to score Hefft, pushing the lead to 9-2. Though Utah Tech scratched across one more run in the bottom of the inning, they could do little to stop the bleeding. UNLV poured it on in the final two innings, including a six-run explosion in the eighth. After a Ditmar double and a string of walks loaded the bases, the Hustlin' Rebels tacked on two runs before Koniarsky delivered a grand slam, putting the game well out of reach at 17-3. Koniarsky finished the game with six RBI and was a double shy of the cycle. Toigo also recorded six RBI as the senior went 2-for-4. Cody Albright was credited with the win going two innings in the start where he gave up three hits on no walks.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Koniarsky went 3-for-6 with six RBI and was a double shy of the cycle.
- Toigo also drove in six RBI as he was 2-for-4 on the night with a home run.
- Garritano went 2-for-4 with a home run and four runs scored.
- The Rebels scored four or more runs in three innings.
- UNLV recorded 17 hits with every starter collecting at least one hit.
- UNLV used five pitchers with Albright, Evan Vasiliou and Mason Dillow each going two innings, and Michael Taylor and Dylan Rogers each going one inning.
UP NEXT: UNLV will return to conference play and head to San Jose State May 2-4, with the first pitch on Friday scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
