Vegas got a show, but came up one swing short
Las Vegas Ballpark got its money’s worth Monday night.
UNLV spotted No. 22 Arizona State an early 11-0 cushion, then nearly flipped the script in front of 1,355 fans before falling 12-11 in a wild one on the Strip.
The Sun Devils improved to 18-6. UNLV slipped to 15-10.
Arizona State brought the punch early. The Sun Devils scored twice in the first, then kept stacking innings to build a 9-0 lead after three. They added three more in the fifth, and when the dust settled it was 12-0.
But the Rebels made it a game, and then some.
Barragan started the climb
UNLV finally cracked the scoreboard in the sixth.
Reggie Bussey reached, Marcos Rosales followed, and Drew Barragan ripped a two-run triple to center to get the crowd moving. Soon after, Barragan came home on a wild pitch to cut it to 12-3.
That was the first sign the night wasn’t over.
The eighth inning turned the Ballpark upside down
The comeback caught fire in the eighth, and the inning never stopped rolling for UNLV.
Barragan and Ayden Garcia opened with back-to-back singles. Then the Rebels took advantage of Arizona State mistakes to bring another run home. Next, Nin Burns II doubled down the left-field line to drive in a run, and Jonny Rodriguez lined an RBI single to keep the line moving.
At that point, Bussey worked a bases-loaded walk to force in a run and bring the tying run to the plate.
Then Rosales delivered the moment Las Vegas Ballpark will remember. He launched a grand slam to deep left, a four-RBI blast that capped an eight-run inning and pulled UNLV within 12-11.
The place was shaking. The Rebels weren’t done fighting either.
UNLV put two on in the ninth on walks, and a wild pitch moved the tying run into scoring position. However, Arizona State escaped with a game-ending double play to close it.
Numbers that mattered for UNLV
Rosales went 2-for-5 with four RBI on the grand slam.
Barragan finished 4-for-5 with a triple and two RBI.
Bussey scored twice and reached base three times, going 1-for-3 with a double and two walks. Rodriguez added an RBI single and drew three walks.
On the mound, UNLV got a steadier finish after the early damage. Colton Sundloff threw 2.1 scoreless innings. Jacob Gomberg followed with 2.0 scoreless innings, and the pair combined for 4.1 shutout frames.
Tip of the cap to Arizona State
Arizona State’s early barrage gave it enough breathing room to survive the late push.
Even so, UNLV made the Sun Devils earn every out in the final innings, and the Rebels left the Ballpark knowing they were one swing from a signature comeback.
Up next
UNLV heads back to Earl E. Wilson Stadium for its first Mountain West home series. The Rebels host San Jose State starting Friday, March 27 at 6:05 p.m. PT.
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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.
