SAN JOSE, Calif. (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV Hustlin' Rebels (26-20, 11-12 MW) came through in the clutch with a 12-inning 5-3 triumph over San Jose State (23-24, 9-14) on Saturday afternoon at Excite Ballpark. Alex Navarrete's 3.1 innings of scoreless relief and a pair of sacrifice flies in the 12th inning was the difference-maker in the series victory. UNLV has now won a season-high seven straight games and have scored 41 runs in their last three games. This is the longest game in terms of innings for the Hustlin' Rebels since 2019 when they defeated Bradley 3-2 at home in 15 innings.

HOW IT WENT DOWN: San Jose State struck early without an RBI hit, capitalizing on a UNLV throwing error in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. UNLV responded in the third thanks to designated hitter JP Hefft, who delivered a two-out, two-run double to center to score Dean Toigo and Elijah Rodriguez. The Rebels added another run in the seventh when catcher Chase Gallegos launched a solo homer to put UNLV ahead 3-2. The Spartans clawed back in the eighth. SJSU Jake McCoy blasted a solo home run to tie the game at 3-3. The game would remain deadlocked for three more innings, setting the stage for extra-inning dramatics. UNLV capitalized on a crucial San Jose State miscue in the 12th. Second baseman Nick Garritano reached on a throwing error to open the inning, and Toigo followed with a single. Rodriguez was hit by a pitch, loading the bases with no outs.Hefft, already with three hits and two RBI, lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Garritano to give UNLV the lead. One batter later, Cole Koniarsky added a second sacrifice fly, bringing home Toigo to pad the lead to 5-3. Closer Alex Overbay came on in the bottom of the frame and delivered under pressure. After a quick groundout and flyout, San Jose State put a runner on base off a single, giving the Spartans a flicker of hope. With two outs, Overbay delivered with a strikeout to end the game.

QUOTABLE: "Huge win for us. Two teams fighting for their postseason lives. I tip my hat to San Jose State, they played just as hard. So proud of the fight we had today in many areas."
-Head Coach Stan Stolte

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Hefft led the Hustlin' Rebels with a 3-for-5 game with three RBI and drove in the go-ahead sacrifice fly in the 12th inning.
- Toigo went 3-for-5 and recorded his 10th game of three or more hits this season.
- Navarrete picked up the win in relief as he totaled 3.1 innings of work where he gave up three hits, two walks and struck out a trio of Spartan batters.
- Alex Overbay earned his fifth save of the season where he gave up one hit and struck out one.
- Gallegos' home run of the seventh was his first of the season.
- LJ Mercurius returned to the mound where he went five innings, striking out five batters.