RENO, Nev. (UNLVRebels.com) - A fast start and timely hitting proved just enough for the UNLV Hustlin' Rebels as they fended off a late push from the UNR Wolf Pack baseball to secure an 8-7 victory in game two of the series on Saturday afternoon at Don Weir Field at Peccole Park. This series is part of the Silver State Series presented by America First Credit Union.
HOW IT WENT DOWN: UNLV (24-18, 7-10 MW) wasted no time jumping on the scoreboard in the top of the first. After loading the bases, Jonny Rodriguez delivered the game's biggest early blow, crushing a grand slam to deep left field to give the Rebels a commanding 4-0 lead. UNR (22-17, 11-6 MW) answered quickly in the bottom half, trimming the deficit to 4-2 behind RBI hits from former Rebel Mikey Cruz Jr. and Jacob Doyle. The Wolf Pack continued to chip away and eventually surged ahead in the fourth inning. A two-run single from Jake Harvey tied the game before Cruz Jr. struck again with a two-run double, capping a four-run frame that gave UNR a 6-4 advantage.
Marcos Rosales led off the fifth inning with a solo home run down the left field line to spark the rally. Later in the inning, Nin Burns II tied the game with an RBI double before Rodriguez came through again, lining an RBI single to put UNLV back in front, 7-6. The Scarlet & Gray added what proved to be a crucial insurance run in the sixth when Gavin Taylor launched a solo homer to deep left, extending the lead to 8-6. UNR threatened multiple times, including a two-on situation in the sixth and a bases-loaded opportunity in the ninth.
In the final frame, the Wolf Pack made things tense. Sean Yamaguchi doubled down the line to score a run and cut the deficit to 8-7, putting the tying run just 90 feet away. After a pitching change, UNLV reliever Ryan Marton induced a game-ending flyout to center field, stranding the bases loaded and sealing the win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
-With Drew Barragan's walk, the redshirt senior has now reached base in all 41 games he has played in this season and has an on-base streak of 42 games dating back to his time at Western Kentucky last season.
-Jonny Rodriguez paced the Rebels, once again, with five RBI and hit his seventh home run of the season, including his second straight game with a home run.
-Ayden Garcia is now on a seven-game hitting streak as the designated hitter went 2-for-5 and scored two runs.
-Marcos Rosales belted his team-high ninth home run of the season, while Gavin Taylor collected his fifth home run of the campaign.
-Gunnar Myro went 3-for-4 with a trio of singles and started his first game of the season in left field.
-Yates Bland improved to 5-0 this season as the relief pitcher came in for starting pitcher Carson Lane with one out in the fifth inning, going 4.1 innings himself, recorded five strikeouts, one walk, one earned run and gave up four hits.
-Ryan Marton collected his second save of the season where he faced one batter, a flyout, to end the game.
-UNR left 10 runners on base compared to UNLV's seven.
-UNLV batters struck out 15 times compared to UNR's seven.
-The Hustlin' Rebels have won five of the last seven games against the Wolf Pack dating back to the 2024 season.
UP NEXT: UNLV closes out the series against UNR with the rubber match on Sunday, April 26 at 12:05 pm. The result of tomorrow's game will decide which side will earn the three points associated with the sport in the standings of the Silver State Series presented by America First Credit Union.
