LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - A big second inning and a late offensive outburst proved too much for UNLV, as Washington State Cougars rolled past the UNLV 13-2 in eight innings on Friday night at Earl E. Wilson Stadium.

HOW IT WENT DOWN: After a quiet opening frame from both sides, Washington State (20-18, 8-5 MW) seized control in the second. The Cougars capitalized on command issues, drawing three walks before Kyler Northrop delivered a two-run double to break the game open. An RBI single from Gavin Roy and a run-scoring fielder's choice pushed the lead to 4-0 before UNLV (22-16, 5-8 MW) could record the final out.

UNLV responded in the third when Jayden Hertel lined an RBI single up the middle, scoring Cooper Sheff to cut the deficit to 4-1. However, that would be one of the few bright spots offensively for the Rebels. Washington State added two more in the fourth, highlighted by Roy's RBI double and a sacrifice fly from Max Hartman, stretching the lead to 6-1. The Cougars continued to apply pressure with another run in the fifth and one more in the sixth, taking an 8-1 advantage into the late innings.

UNLV struggled to generate sustained offense despite multiple base runners. Drew Barragan recorded a multi-hit performance, while Hertel also notched two hits, but the Rebels stranded runners in key moments and struck out frequently against the Cougar pitching staff. Any hopes of a comeback were erased in the eighth inning when Washington State broke the game wide open with five runs, as the Cougars extended their lead to 13-1. UNLV managed to plate one final run in the bottom half of the inning. Barragan and Ayden Garcia reached base before Nin Burns II drove in a run with a double to right-center, but the rally was short-lived as the Rebels fell by run rule.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
-Drew Barragan has now reached base in all 37 games he has played in this season and has an on-base streak of 38 games dating back to his time at Western Kentucky last season.
-Nin Burns II went 2-for-2 with one RBI and two walks.
-Jayden Hertel also collected a pair of hits and now has a 10-game hitting streak.
-Parker Dillhoff went four innings where he gave up six earned runs with six walks and three strikeouts.

UP NEXT: UNLV will resume its series with the Cougars of Washington State with game two on Saturday, April 18 at 6:05 pm followed by the series finale on Sunday, April 19 at 12:05 pm.