LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - A furious late-inning comeback brought UNLV baseball within a swing of a signature win, but the Rebels ultimately came up just short, falling 12-11 to No. 22 Arizona State on Monday night at Las Vegas Ballpark.
HOW IT WENT DOWN: After digging themselves into a massive early hole, the Rebels (15-10) erupted for 11 runs over the final three innings, highlighted by an eight-run eighth, but couldn't complete the comeback in the ninth. No. 22 Arizona State (18-6) wasted no time taking control, scoring twice in the first inning on a wild pitch and an RBI groundout. The Sun Devils kept the pressure on in the second, stringing together four hits to plate with three more runs and extended the lead to 5-0.
The game broke open in the third inning. Capitalizing on a UNLV error, Arizona State scored four runs, including a two-run double to center, to stretch the advantage to 9-0. They added three more in the fifth, with a two-run double and an RBI groundout pushing the margin to 12-0. UNLV's offense remained quiet through the first five innings, managing just three hits while striking against Arizona State starters Easton Barrett.
The tide finally turned in the sixth. After a leadoff walk and single, Drew Barragan sparked the rally with a two-run triple to center field. He later scored on a wild pitch to put the Rebels on the board at 12-3. Still trailing by nine entering the eighth, UNLV mounted a stunning rally. Barragan and Ayden Garcia opened the inning with back-to-back singles, and a pair of Arizona State errors helped bring in another run. Nin Burns II followed with an RBI double down the left field line, and Jonny Rodriguez added an RBI single to keep the line moving. With the bases loaded, Reggie Bussey drew a walk to force in a run, trimming the deficit to five. Moments later, Marcos Rosales delivered the biggest swing of the night, launching a grand slam to deep left field to cap the eight-run inning and pull UNLV within one run, 12-11.
UNLV carried that momentum into the ninth, retiring Arizona State in order to give itself a chance to walk it off. Rodriguez drew a one-out walk and advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch, bringing the tying run within 180 feet, but the rally ended there. A walk to
Cooper Sheff put two aboard, before
Jack Salmon grounded into a game-ending double play, sealing the narrow defeat.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
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Drew Barragan recorded a 4-for-5 night with three singles and one triple, his team-leading fourth triple of the season.
-Barragan has notched a hit in 22 of the 24 games he has played and has an on-base streak of 22 games.
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Marcos Rosales belted his fourth home run of the season.
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Jonny Rodriguez walked three times in the game and now has 10 walks this season.
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Nin Burns II went 1-for-5 and extended his hitting streak to 12 games.
-ASU pitchers led in strikeouts over UNLV, 12-4.
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Jacob Gomberg came in to relieve
Colton Sundloff in the eighth inning where the lefthander went 2.0 innings giving up no hits, no runs, no walks and one strikeout.
UP NEXT: UNLV remains in Las Vegas and will return to Earl E. Wilson Stadium where they will continue its 11-game homestand with three against San Jose State, Friday through Sunday, the first conference home games of the season. Games one and two are both slated for 6:05 pm first pitches, while Sunday's finale will get going at 12:05 pm.
