Box Score Las Vegas, NV—The UC Riverside Baseball Team took a 7-4 lead into the bottom of the ninth Wednesday inning, and had their closer on the mound to finish things off, but UNLV struck for four runs in the frame to escape with an 8-7 victory.

Ryan Lillie (0-2) entered the game in search of his fourth save of the season, having allowed eight hits in 9.2 innings of work this season. Hee struck out the lead off batter of the inning, Cody Howard, but Kyle Isbel followed with a triple to right center. Bryson Stott's single up the middle made it 7-5 UC Riverside, and Payton Squier singled through the right side putting runners at first and third. Nick Ames took a rip at the second pitch he saw and sent it over the right field fence to give the Rebels the win.

Bryan Menendez (1-0) was credited with the win, after striking out the side in the top of the ninth.

The Highlanders (5-3) jumped out to a 2-0 lead, scoring single runs in the first and the second. After UNLV (4-5) plated four in the fifth, UC Riverside countered with a five spot in their half of the seventh. The Highlanders sent 10 men to the plate in the inning, but left the bases loaded.

Ricky Delgado got the start for UCR, going 4.2 innings and allowing four hits while striking out four. Hazahel Quijada, Matt Hardy and Alex Fagalde combined to throw 3.1 innings of scoreless relief for the Highlanders.

UC Riverside heads back to the Inland Empire for their first home series of the season this weekend as they welcome Holy Cross to The Plex for a four-game set. The Highlanders and Crusaders play single games on Saturday, March 4; Sunday, March 5; Monday, March 6; and Tuesday, March 7. First pitch on Saturday and Sunday is at 1 pm PT, and on Monday and Tuesday, game time is 6 pm.