LAS VEGAS (UNLVrebels.com) – The UNLV baseball team (3-3) aimed to bounce back against the no. 25-ranked Cincinnati Bearcats (3-2) on Saturday night after falling the day prior. The Bearcats held a hot start to the game, but the Hustlin’ Rebels clinched the win with five runs in the final two innings of play, including a walkoff home run by Mikey Cruz Jr.
The junior made his starting debut in the lineup as the designated hitter, entering the bottom of the ninth inning as the leadoff batter. First pitch to Cruz Jr. was a fastball, but the batter passed on it. Second pitch the Bearcat thrower gave another fastball, this time Cruz Jr. swinging. The third pitch the DH takes a swing at a changeup, connecting the ball and exit stage left past the wall for the Rebel win.
“I’m just thankful for the opportunity and to my family, teammates and coaches for believing in me. It’s awesome to play in the Scarlet & Gray.” commented Mikey Cruz Jr. “I respected everything that guy [Cincinnati’s pitcher] had, our coaches gave me the best plan possible. I had a feeling when I hit the ball, but in this cold Vegas weather I had to watch it the whole way.”
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Cruz Jr.’s walkoff home run was set up by a four-run eighth inning, the DH actually leading off that inning as well with a hit-by-pitch at bat. Senior Paul Myro IV would crack a single to left field with one out, pushing Cruz Jr. to second base. The next three batters to reach first base (Elijah Rodriguez, JP Hefft and Dean Toigo) each would walk, Hefft and Toigo’s free trips to first base happened while the bases were loaded, giving two free runs to the Rebels. With two outs, Cole Koniarsky would take a great pitch and swing to right field, Hefft gaining just enough of a jump to drive in both him and Rodriguez home to tie the game.
The Rebel pitching held a strong finish in the final two innings, Alex Overbay claiming his first career pitching decision with a win after shutting out the Bearcats in the ninth inning. In the final two innings, Overbay and Reese Lueck would each fan two batters in the innings they tossed, Lueck throwing during the eighth inning. LJ Mercurius held the starting role for the Hustlin’ Rebels through the first four innings, earning a career-high eight strikeouts that included five through the first two innings of action. Cody Albright made his second relief appearance of the season in the contest, recording five K’s of his own through three innings of action for UNLV.
“A crazy game. Their pitchers dominated us for seven innings but we kept fighting. Mercurius, Albright, Lueck and Overbay all gave us a chance” mentioned head coach Stan Stolte. “The home run couldn’t have happened to a better kid. He’s been waiting for his chance and came through big time. This was a much-needed win versus such a good team, they’re hard to play.”
UP NEXT
The Scarlet & Gray will face off in the third of four games against Cincinnati on Sunday afternoon, taking on the Bearcats at 1 p.m. PT on Sunday, Feb. 23. To get updates on all things Hustlin’ Rebels, links to the season’s games can be found on the team’s schedule page. You can also get live updates on how the Scarlet & Gray are faring on the team’s X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook and Instagram accounts.
