LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV Hustlin' Rebels couldn't capitalize on early momentum and stranded too many runners late, falling 4-1 to the Milwaukee Panthers in game two on Saturday night at Earl E. Wilson Stadium.
HOW IT WENT DOWN: UNLV (25-21) grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning without recording a hit. After Marcos Rosales and Ayden Garcia drew walks, a throwing error by Milwaukee allowed Rosales to score from second, giving the Rebels an early edge. Milwaukee (16-28) answered in the second inning when Connor Bozak launched a solo home run to deep left field, tying the game at 1-1. The Panthers then took control in the third, as Dominic Kibler delivered an RBI double to right center, scoring Charlie Marion to make it 2-1.
UNLV managed just six hits on the evening and repeatedly came up empty in key moments. The Rebels' best chance came in the seventh inning when Nin Burns II and Jack Salmon delivered back-to-back singles, and Gavin Taylor drew a walk to load the bases with two outs. However, a flyout ended the threat, keeping the deficit at one. Milwaukee created separation in the eighth. Dylan O'Connell led off with a double, later scoring on Joey Spence's RBI double. Bozak followed with an RBI single to extend the lead to 4-1.
The Scarlet & Gray threatened again in the bottom half of the inning, loading the bases with one out after walks from Rosales and Jonny Rodriguez and a single from Burns II. But once again, the Rebels couldn't deliver a clutch hit, stranding all three runners. Gunnar Myro provided a late spark in the ninth with a double and advanced to third on a wild pitch, but the rally ended with a strikeout.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
-Nin Burns II and Gunnar Myro both went 2-for-4, with the former collecting two singles, while the latter earned a single and a double.
-Marcos Rosales walked twice.
-Rebel pitchers struck out 11 Panthers, while Milwaukee struck out seven UNLV batters..
-Carson Lane went 5.0 innings giving up four hits, two earned runs with two walks and eight strikeouts.
-Reggie Bussey's nine-game hitting streak came to an end.
UP NEXT: UNLV and Milwaukee will play for the series in the rubber match on Sunday, May 3 at 11:05 am.
