REBELS FEND OFF COUGARS, TAKES SERIES WITH WIN
The UNLV Hustlin’ Rebels’ baseball team (28-22, 13-14 MW) recorded a crucial 5-2 triumph over Washington State (18-32, 11-16) to capture the series win on Sunday afternoon at Bailey-Brayton Field. The Rebels remain fourth in the Mountain West standings with one weekend to go in the regular season.
HOW IT WENT DOWN: UNLV got on the board first in the top of the second inning when Mikey Cruz Jr. sparked the offense with a one-out single up the middle. Brendan O’Sullivan followed with a double down the left field line, setting the table for a sacrifice fly by Chase Gallegos that brought home Cruz Jr., giving the Rebels a 1-0 lead. The Cougars responded in the bottom of the third with a two-out single, followed by a two-run home run from Max Hartman, flipping the score 2-1 in Washington State’s favor. UNLV reclaimed control in the fourth inning, once again thanks to Cruz Jr. and O’Sullivan. Cruz Jr. recorded his second hit of the day, a single to left, and came around to score on O’Sullivan’s second double of the afternoon. A misfire from the Cougar center fielder on the throw to the infield allowed O’Sullivan to take third. After a fielder’s choice and a walk, Dean Toigo delivered an RBI single to push the Hustlin’ Rebels back in front, 3-2. After giving up Hartman’s homer, the UNLV pitching staff didn’t allow another run. UNLV added insurance runs in both the eighth and ninth innings. Dwight Allen II led off the eighth with a single and later came around to score on a sacrifice fly by O’Sullivan, who ended the day with two RBI. In the ninth, JP Hefft was hit by a pitch and stole second before being driven home by a clutch single from Cooper Sheff, pushing the lead to 5-2. Mason Dillow and Alex Overbay combined to pitch the final two innings, slamming the door with three strikeouts in the ninth from the latter, including a critical final strikeout of Kyler Northrop to end the game with the tying run at the plate.
QUOTABLE: “Simon gave us a really good seven innings, and Dillow and Overbay took us home versus a very solid club. Cruz Jr. had a great day at the plate and we played a full nine innings of solid defense. Good series win on the road.”
-Head Coach Stan Stolte
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
– Toigo is on a 17-game hitting streak and his eight straight multi-hit game performance was snapped.
– Cruz Jr. recorded a career-high four hits as the junior went 4-4 with four singles and one run scored.
– Koniaraky went 2-for-5 with a pair of doubles and is tied for the second-most doubles on the team this season with 12.
– O’Sullivan notched a 2-for-3 effort with a double, single and a sacrifice fly.
– Sam Simon earned his third win of the season as the senior hurler went seven innings giving up five hits on two earned runs with one walk and one strikeout.
– Overbay was credited with his seventh save of the season where he came into relief in the ninth striking out all three batters he faced.
UP NEXT: The Hustlin’ Rebels will close out the Mountain West regular season at home hosting Air Force for three-games beginning on Thursday, May 15 and concluding on Saturday, May 17. UNLV will honor its 14 seniors on Saturday.