FRESNO, Calif. (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV Hustlin' Rebel offense erupted early and never let up Saturday afternoon, overwhelming the Fresno State Bulldogs in a 17-1 run-rule victory in seven innings at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium.
HOW IT WENT DOWN: UNLV (28-22, 9-11 MW) pounded out 15 hits, including six home runs, while scoring in four different innings to cruise to one of its most dominant performances of the season. The Scarlet & Gray wasted no time taking control. After back-to-back walks and a wild pitch moved runners into scoring position in the first inning, Nin Burns II ripped a two-run double down the left-field line to put UNLV on the board. Jayden Hertel followed later in the inning with an RBI single to give the Rebels a 3-0 lead. Gunnar Myro opened the frame with a double before Burns II delivered again with a two-run single. Jonny Rodriguez then launched a two-run homer to deep right field, and Gavin Taylor capped the seven-run inning with a towering three-run blast to left as UNLV stretched the advantage to 10-0.
Fresno State (13-34-1, 2-17-1 MW) finally broke through in the third inning when Michael Boyd delivered an RBI ground-rule double, but the Bulldogs could do little else against the Rebel pitching staff. UNLV starter Carson Lane kept Fresno State largely in check, allowing just one earned run while navigating traffic throughout his outing. The Hustlin' Rebels also turned a key double play in the fourth inning to halt any momentum for the Bulldogs. UNLV returned to the long ball in the sixth inning. Drew Barragan opened the inning with a solo homer before Rodriguez crushed his second homer of the afternoon, a two-run shot to right-center. Jack Salmon added another solo blast later in the frame as UNLV extended the lead to 14-1.
Rodriguez put the finishing touches on the rout in the seventh. After Marcos Rosales singled and Barragan walked, Rodriguez demolished a three-run homer to deep right field for his third long ball of the game, pushing the score to 17-1 and securing the run-rule margin. Reese Lueck closed out the seventh inning for UNLV, striking out one as the Rebels sealed the mercy-rule victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
-Jonny Rodriguez became the first Hustlin' Rebel to hit three home runs in a game since Xavier Scruggs did so against San Diego State on April 19, 2008.
-Rodriguez now has 12 RBI in two games against Fresno State this weekend, and now has 11 home runs this season, the second most on the team.
-With Drew Barragan's 1-for-5 night, the redshirt senior has now reached base in all 48 games he has played in this season and has an on-base streak of 49 games dating back to his time at Western Kentucky last season.
-Barragan leads the team with 12 home runs.
-Nin Burns II notched his second four-hit game of the season as the right fielder went 4-for-5 with a double, three singles, scored three runs and drove in four runs.
-12 of Gavin Taylor's 17 hits this season have been extra-base hits, with the catcher hitting his seventh home run of the season.
-UNLV hit six total home runs in the game (Rodriguez - 3 home runs, Drew Barragan, Jack Salmon, Gavin Taylor).
-Carson Lane collected his second win of the season as the junior went 5.0 innings giving up six hits on one earned run with three walks and four strikeouts.
-Gunnar Myro now has a 12-game hitting streak with his 1-for-4 day.
-Jack Salmon went 2-for-5 with his second home run of the season and his 10th double of the campaign.
-Jayden Hertel went 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI.
-Every starter scored at least one run in the contest.
UP NEXT: UNLV will look for the series sweep against Fresno State when they return Sunday, May 10 at 1:05 pm.
