PHOENIX, Ariz. (UNLVRebels.com) - A tight pitchers' duel unraveled for UNLV in the sixth inning as Grand Canyon capitalized on a string of miscues to pull away for a 6-1 victory in game two of three on Saturday night at Brazell Field at GCU Ballpark.
HOW IT WENT DOWN: UNLV (20-15, 4-7 MW) had an early opportunity to strike in the first inning, loading the bases without a hit after three straight free passes and a hit-by-pitch. However, Grand Canyon starter Chase Frey escaped the jam with back-to-back strikeouts and a dropped third strike. Grand Canyon (12-23, 4-7 MW) wasted little time getting on the board in the bottom half of the first. Billy Scaldeferri reached after being hit by a pitch, stole second and came around to score on Jake Sanko's RBI double to left-center, giving the Lopes a 1-0 lead.
From there, both pitching staffs settled in. UNLV starter Carson Lane worked through early traffic and kept the Rebels within striking distance, while Frey and the Lopes' bullpen silenced the UNLV lineup. The Rebels managed just one hit through the first five innings and struck out repeatedly, finishing the night with a season tying-high 14 punchouts. The game remained 1-0 until the fifth inning, when Jose Lopez delivered a two-out RBI double to extend Grand Canyon's lead to 2-0. The turning point came in the sixth inning, where defensive struggles proved costly for UNLV. A leadoff single, followed by a throwing error and multiple wild pitches, allowed Grand Canyon to plate two runs before recording an out. The inning spiraled further with additional errors, including a miscue at first and another throwing error, helping the Lopes push across four runs in the frame, only one of which was earned, to balloon the lead to 6-0.
Despite the deficit, UNLV showed life in the ninth. Nin Burns II drew a walk, and Jayden Hertel followed with a single to put two on. Connor Tallakson delivered an RBI single to left-center, scoring Burns II for the Rebels' lone run of the night. However, the rally was short-lived as Grand Canyon recorded the final out moments later.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
-Carson Lane collected a season-high eight strikeouts as the junior went 4.0 innings giving up five hits on one earned run with three walks.
-The Scarlet & Gray scored just one run in a game for the second time this season
-Jayden Hertel led the Rebel offense with a pair of hits, while Reggie Bussey, Marcos Rosales, Cooper Sheff and Connor Tallakson each recorded a hit apiece.
-Tallakson's RBI single was the first run he's driven in this season and his third hit overall in 18 total at-bats.
-Drew Barragan's on-base streak of 18 games came to an end with an 0-for-3 evening.
-Five Rebel relief pitchers appeared in the game in LJ Manning, Colton Sundloff, Cody Albright, Jacob Gomberg and Gavyn Bowen.
UP NEXT: UNLV and Grand Canyon will close out the series with the rubber match on Sunday, April 12 at 12 pm.
