LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - A big third inning proved too much to overcome as UNLV baseball fell 11-1 to Utah Tech in an eight-inning contest on Sunday afternoon at Earl E. Wilson Stadium. The Trailblazers picked up its first win all-time against the Scarlet & Gray with the series dating back to the 2022 season.

HOW IT WENT DOWN: The game was tight early, with UNLV (15-9) threatening in the first inning after Marcos Rosales doubled to right center and Drew Barragan followed with a single to put runners on the corners with no outs. However, the Rebels were unable to capitalize, stranding both runners as Utah Tech (16-9) escaped the jam unscathed. Utah Tech broke through in the second inning, taking a 1-0 lead on a wild pitch that allowed Gavin Long to score. That run was just a precursor to a decisive third inning in which Utah Tech sent 12 batters to the plate and scored seven runs. Utah Tech's Andrew Pyle delivered a two-run single, Petey Soto Jr. added an RBI knock and Ryan Kroepel capped the rally with a two-run single of his own. The Trailblazers also drew multiple walks and benefited from a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded, extending the lead to 8-0.

UNLV cycled through several pitchers in an attempt to slow the momentum, but Utah Tech continued to add on. The Trailblazers pushed their lead to 9-0 in the fifth and 10-1 in the seventh before tacking on one final run in the eighth on a sacrifice fly by Kroepel. The Rebels managed their lone run in the sixth inning. Nin Burns II smacked a double to right center and later scored on a Jack Salmon RBI single to center field, cutting the deficit to 9-1. Despite collecting hits in key moments, UNLV struggled to string together offense, leaving multiple runners on base, including a bases-loaded opportunity in the fifth inning that went unconverted.

On the mound, UNLV pitchers combined to allow 11 runs, with command proving to be an issue as Utah Tech capitalized on 15 walks, three hit batters and multiple wild pitches throughout the game.

QUOTABLE: "Both games were fairly opposite of each other this weekend. Yesterday, we really hit well with runners in scoring position, today we couldn't buy a hit. Pitching wise, Parker Dillhoff was really good yesterday and today, we were the complete opposite. Zero command of the baseball, too much to overcome. Credit to Utah Tech. They seemed like they had bases loaded every inning, just a disappointing outing from numerous pitchers. We play a very talented well-coached Arizona State team tomorrow night, so no time to feel sorry for ourselves."
-Head Coach Stan Stolte

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
-Nin Burns II went 1-for-4 and extended his hitting streak to 11 games.
-Felix Ong was credited with his third loss of the season after going 1+ inning where he gave up one earned run on one hit, four walks and one strikeout.
-Tate Foxson came into relief in the fifth inning going 2.2 innings where he gave up three hits, one earned run, one walk and one strikeout.
-Gavyn Bowen also came into relief striking out a pair of batters in 1.1 innings and didn't allow a hit.
-Barragan has a nine-game hitting streak, while Myro has a team-high .457 batting average.