May 2, 2015
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Edgar Montes' two-run homer in the top of the eighth gave UNLV its first lead of the afternoon and the Rebels held on for a 3-2 win over San Diego State Saturday afternoon at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The loss ended a short four-game win streak for SDSU, which saw its record fall to 31-17 overall and 17-9 in the Mountain West.
The game was one of missed opportunities for the Aztecs who left 12 runners stranded on base during the contest. On three occasions they had a man at third with one out and could not get the run across the plate.
San Diego State did get on the board first, taking a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Steven Pallares singled, stole second and advanced to third when the catcher's throw to second went into center field. Ty France then drove Pallares home with a two-out double to left center before Seby Zavala followed with an RBI double to right center to score France with the second run.
The Rebels (21-24, 7-16 MW) answered back with a run in their next at bat on a single, double and sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to one run.
SDSU starting pitcher Mark Seyler went seven full innings and would eventually be charged with two runs while scattering six hits with two walks and six strikeouts. He began the top of the eighth, but after surrendering a leadoff walk gave way to Brian Heldman from the bullpen.
Heldman struck out the first batter he faced before giving up the home run to Montes on a 3-2 pitch. That hit would see the junior right-hander take the loss to fall to 3-1 on the year.
UNLV's Zack Hartman, who had come on to start the bottom of the seventh, was the beneficiary of Montes' long ball and would get credit for the win to up his record to 4-1. Closer Brayden Torres came on to pitch the ninth, and after surrendering a one-out single to France, got the final two outs to notch his fourth save of the season.
France ended the day with three hits including a double, RBI and run scored.
The Rebels and Aztecs will play the rubber game of their three-game series on Sunday (May 3) with first pitch set for 1:00 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium.