UNLV erased a six-run deficit with a stunning nine-run seventh inning Friday night, rallying past Bradley 12-9 in the series opener at Earl E. Wilson Stadium.
Yates Bland steadied the game long enough for the offense to catch fire. Then the Rebels flipped it with a relentless inning that featured walks, singles, and a pair of two-run swings.
UNLV improved to 3-2, while Bradley fell to 1-4.
Bland keeps it reachable
Bradley hit fast in the first.
Anthony Martinez lined a two-run single to left-center. Next, Hayden Miller followed with a two-run homer to deep left. As a result, the Braves led 4-0 before UNLV had an at-bat.
Bradley added again in the third on Jack Holubowski’s RBI double down the left-field line. Then Aj Garcia homered to deep right in the fifth to push the lead to 6-0.
UNLV starter Carson Lane went 3.0 innings, allowing five runs on six hits with three walks and six strikeouts. After that, Bland gave the Rebels a chance to breathe.
Bland worked 4.0 innings and earned the win. He allowed one run on two hits, and he struck out five without a walk.
The inning that turned the lights on
UNLV finally cracked the scoreboard in the sixth, and it started with pressure.
Jack Salmon singled, and Marcos Rosales doubled. Then a wild pitch brought Salmon home and moved Rosales to third to make it 6-1. Next, Nin Burns II lifted a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Rosales to cut it to 6-2.
Then came the seventh.
Jayden Hertel walked to start it. Jayden Sanchez reached on catcher’s interference, and the inning never slowed. Salmon singled in a run to make it 6-3.
Rosales was hit by a pitch, and Ayden Garcia drew a bases-loaded walk for another run. Next, Drew Barragan lined a two-run single through the left side to tie it 6-6.
After that, Burns ripped a two-run double to left-center. Then Jonny Rodriguez singled home a run. Sanchez followed with an infield single for another RBI, and Rosales capped the outburst with a bases-loaded walk.
In the end, UNLV sent 13 batters up and scored nine times to take an 11-6 lead.
Enough answers late
Bradley pushed back in the eighth with three runs, trimming it to 11-9. Peyton Nelson drew a bases-loaded walk for an RBI. Then Sohrab Rezaei singled to right-center for two more. A fielding error on the play also helped extend the inning.
However, UNLV answered right back.
Barragan walked to open the bottom of the eighth. Burns walked as well. After that, Cooper Sheff singled through the left side to drive in Barragan for a 12-9 lead.
Jase Evangelista closed it out by recording the final six outs. He went 2.0 innings, allowing three runs on three hits with two walks and five strikeouts.
Salmon led UNLV with a 2-for-5 night, two runs, and an RBI. Barragan went 1-for-2 with two RBIs and three walks. Burns finished with three RBIs, highlighted by the two-run double and a sacrifice fly.
Up next
UNLV continues the series against Bradley on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 4:05 p.m. PT at Earl E. Wilson Stadium. The game will stream on YouTube.
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Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Athletics, and UNLV baseball and softball. He has 24 years of journalism experience, is also a senior reporter at Exhibit City News, and previously covered the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Follow him on X or connect on LinkedIn.
