LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - After dropping three straight games, the Hustlin' Rebels pieced together timely hitting and just enough pitching to edge Cal State Fullerton, 4-3, in a tightly contested matchup on Tuesday evening at Earl E. Wilson Stadium.

HOW IT WENT DOWN: UNLV (14-8) struck first in the opening frame when Drew Barragan launched a solo home run to deep left field, giving the Rebels an early 1-0 lead. The Rebels added to their lead in the fifth inning with a productive sequence. Cooper Sheff singled and moved into scoring position before Jack Salmon followed with a base hit. Gunnar Myro then delivered a sacrifice fly to center, bringing home Sheff to make it 2-0.

Cal State Fullerton (10-10) remained within striking distance and finally broke through in the seventh. A combination of hits and defensive miscues allowed the Titans to tie the game at 2-2, capitalizing on a pair of RBI singles in the inning. UNLV responded immediately in the bottom half with its most decisive rally of the night. Ayden Garcia and Nin Burns II opened the inning with back-to-back singles, and Sheff loaded the bases with another hit. Salmon showed patience at the plate, drawing a walk to force in the go-ahead run. Moments later, Myro came through again, reaching on a fielder's choice that plated another run to extend the lead to 4-2.

The Titans refused to go quietly. Paul Contreras led off the eighth inning with a solo home run to center field, trimming the deficit to one and setting up a tense finish. UNLV's bullpen, which saw five arms come out of the bullpen, managed to hold firm. After navigating traffic in the seventh and eighth innings, the Rebels shut the door in the ninth. Despite a leadoff walk from Jase Evangelista, UNLV recorded a strikeout and two routine outs to seal the 4-3 victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
-UNLV pitchers struck out 12 Titans led by Jase Evangelista's four.
-Evangelista recorded this third win of the season after closing the door with 2.2 innings of work with three hits, one earned run, one walk and four strikeouts.
-Ryan Marton made his Rebel debut starting on the mound pitching the opening inning where he didn't allow a hit and struck out two batters on 19 pitches.
-Drew Barragan and Cooper Sheff both notched two hits apiece.
-Gunnar Myro drove in a pair of runs on a 0-for-2 night.