UNLV did not wait around Saturday, and Jonny Rodriguez made sure Fresno State never got back in it.
The Hustlin’ Rebels scored 10 runs in the first two innings, Rodriguez hit three home runs, and UNLV crushed Fresno State 17-1 in seven innings at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium. The win moved UNLV to 28-22 overall and 9-11 in Mountain West play.
Rodriguez goes off
Rodriguez had the kind of day that takes over a box score. He went 3-for-4 with three homers, seven RBI, three runs and a walk, becoming the first Hustlin’ Rebel to hit three homers in a game since Xavier Scruggs did it against San Diego State on April 19, 2008.
His first homer was a two-run shot in the second that made it 7-0. His second came in the sixth, another two-run blast, and his third was a three-run homer in the seventh that stretched the lead to 17-1.
Rebels bury Fresno early
UNLV jumped ahead 3-0 in the first on a two-run double from Nin Burns II and an RBI single from Jayden Hertel. Then the Rebels poured on seven more in the second, with Burns adding a two-run single, Rodriguez hitting his first homer, and Gavin Taylor capping the inning with a three-run homer to left.
By the time Fresno State came to the plate in the second, UNLV already led 10-0. The Bulldogs scored their only run in the third on a Michael Boyd ground-rule double, but the game was already tilted hard toward the Rebels.
Power keeps coming
UNLV finished with six home runs from four players. Drew Barragan opened the sixth with a solo shot, Rodriguez followed with his second homer, and Jack Salmon added a solo homer later in the inning before Rodriguez went deep again in the seventh.
Burns went 4-for-5 with a double, four RBI, three runs and a stolen base. Hertel finished 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI, while Salmon went 2-for-5 with a double, homer and two runs.
Lane handles the mound
Carson Lane gave UNLV five steady innings and picked up the win. He allowed one run on six hits, walked three and struck out four.
Reese Lueck finished the final two innings, allowing two hits and no runs while striking out three. Fresno State had eight hits, but the Bulldogs scored only once and left too much traffic stranded.
Barragan streak keeps rolling
Barragan went 1-for-4 with a homer, a walk and two runs. He has now reached base in all 48 games he has played this season and in 49 straight dating back to last season at Western Kentucky.
Up next
UNLV goes for the series sweep Sunday against Fresno State at 1:05 p.m. in Fresno. The Rebels then return home for their final regular-season series against San Diego State, beginning Thursday at Earl E. Wilson Stadium.
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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.
