FRESNO, Calif. (UNLVRebels.com) - Behind a pair of home runs from Nin Burns II and a game-breaking seventh inning, the UNLV Hustlin' Rebels stormed back for an 11-6 victory over the Fresno State Bulldogs on Friday night at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium.
HOW IT WENT DOWN: UNLV (27-22, 8-11 MW) trailed 4-2 entering the seventh inning before erupting for nine unanswered runs across the seventh and eighth frames to seize control of the contest. The Rebels struck first in the second inning when NIn Burns II launched a solo home run to deep center field for a 1-0 lead. UNLV added another run in the third after Gunnar Myro singled and later scored on a run-scoring double from Marcos Rosales down the left field line.
UNLV starter Parker Dillhoff kept Fresno State (13-33-1, 2-16-1 MW) quiet through the opening four innings, helping the Rebels carry a 2-0 advantage into the fifth. Fresno State finally broke through in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single from Mikey Pickett, cutting the deficit to 2-1. The Bulldogs grabbed momentum in the sixth. Brady Hewitt and Marcus Nolen opened the inning with singles before Sky Collins blasted a three-run homer to left-center field, giving Fresno State its first lead of the night at 4-2. The Scarlet & Gray responded immediately with its biggest inning of the game in the seventh.
After two quick outs, Myro sparked the rally with a single up the middle before Rosales followed with another base hit. Jonny Rodriguez lined an RBI single down the right field line to trim the deficit to one. Moments later, Drew Barragan ripped a two-run double down the left field line, and a throwing error allowed him to score as well, suddenly pushing UNLV in front 6-4. Burns II added even more insurance immediately after, crushing his second home run of the game to make it 7-4. The Rebels blew the game open in the eighth inning. Rodriguez delivered the knockout punch with a towering grand slam to cap a four-run frame and extend the lead to 11-4.
Out of the bullpen, Jase Evangelista delivered two scoreless innings with three strikeouts to stabilize the game after Fresno State's sixth-inning surge. The Bulldogs attempted a late rally in the ninth with RBI contributions from Pickett and Faust, but UNLV closed the door to secure the five-run victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
-With Drew Barragan's 1-for-5 night, the redshirt senior has now reached base in all 47 games he has played in this season and has an on-base streak of 48 games dating back to his time at Western Kentucky last season.
-Nin Burns II now has eight home runs this season with his two home runs tonight.
-Jonny Rodriguez went 2-for-5 with five RBI and hit his eighth home run of the season.
-Marcos Rosales recorded a double, single and drove in one run while scoring two runs.
-Rosales has 19 multi-hit games this season.
-Gunnar Myro now has an 11-game hitting streak with his 3-for-5 night as the third baseman scored three runs.
-Parker Dillhoff picked up his fourth win of the campaign as the senior lefty went 6.0 innings giving up eight hits, four earned runs with one walk and nine strikeouts.
-Dillhoff has now struck out nine or more batters in five starts this season.
-Jase Evangelista notched his third save of the season as he threw the final three innings where he gave up two hits, two earned runs with two walks and five strikeouts.Â
UP NEXT: UNLV and Fresno State return to the diamond Saturday afternoon (3:05 pm) for game two of the MW series. The finale is slated for Sunday at 1:05 pm.
