FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno State erased an early two-run deficit with a four-run sixth inning, but UNLV answered with nine runs over the next two frames to hand the Bulldogs an 11-6 loss on Friday night at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Rebels struck first in the second inning on a solo home run from Nin Burns II before adding another run in the third on an RBI double from Marcos Rosales to take a 2-0 lead. Fresno State starter Brandon Thomas limited the damage early, striking out four across 3.1 innings of work.
Fresno State broke through in the fifth inning when Ryan De La Maza doubled and later scored on an RBI single from Mikey Pickett to cut the deficit to 2-1. The Bulldogs then surged ahead in the sixth inning. Brady Hewitt singled to open the frame before Marcus Nolen added a base hit, setting the stage for Sky Collins, who launched a three-run home run to left field to give Fresno State a 4-2 advantage.
UNLV responded immediately in the seventh inning with five runs on four hits. Jonny Rodriguez tied the game with an RBI single before Drew Barragan delivered a two-run double that also scored on a throwing error. Burns II followed with his second home run of the night to push the Rebels ahead 7-4.
The Rebels added four more runs in the eighth inning on Rodriguez's grand slam to extend the lead to 11-4. Fresno State continued to battle in the ninth, loading the bases before Pickett drove in a run with a single and Owen Faust added a sacrifice fly, but the comeback attempt fell short.
NOTES
Pickett led the Bulldogs offensively, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs, while Collins finished with a team-high three RBIs on his sixth-inning homer.
De La Maza added two hits and stole two bases in the loss.
Jordan Haver was charged with the loss in relief, falling to 3-3 on the season.
UNLV reliever Parker Dillhoff earned the win after striking out nine across six innings.
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs continue the series tomorrow at 3:05 p.m. PT.
