SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The Santa Clara University baseball team carried a two-run lead into the ninth inning and received a strong start from Max Bayles on Friday night at Stephen Schott Stadium, but visiting UNLV delivered two two-out swings in the late innings to claim a 5-4 victory in the opening game of the three-game non-conference series.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Rebels (8-2) tied the game in the top of the ninth on a pinch-hit, two-run home run by Gavin Taylor with two outs on an 0-2 pitch, then pushed across the go-ahead run in the 10th on a two-out RBI double on an 0-1 pitch off the bat of Jonny Rodriguez.
   
• The Broncos (4-5) had built a 4-2 lead through three innings behind timely hitting and aggressive baserunning. Santa Clara totaled eight hits, drew six walks and stole five bases. Will Anderson paced the Broncos' offense, going 2 for 4 with two RBIs. Max Ross finished 2 for 5 with two doubles and a run scored. Andrew Rayment doubled and drove in a run, while Mateo Garcia added a hit and an RBI.
   
• UNLV opened the scoring with a two-run home run from Drew Barragan in the first inning, but Santa Clara answered immediately in the bottom half. Ben Cleary singled, stole second and scored on Anderson's RBI double to left field to cut the deficit in half.
   
• The Broncos evened the game in the second. Camden Sos walked, advanced on a wild pitch and scored when Rayment doubled to center, tying the game at 2-2.
   
• Santa Clara moved in front in the third. Ross doubled to left center, Anderson singled him home and later stole second, and Garcia followed with an RBI single to give the Broncos a 4-2 advantage.
   
• Bayles set the tone on the mound, striking out seven over five innings. After the first inning, he faced the minimum from the second through the fourth, and he closed his outing by retiring 11 of the final 15 batters he faced.
   
• RJ Meyn provided an important bridge out of the bullpen, working 3 2/3 innings and striking out five to match a career high for the second consecutive outing.
   
• Santa Clara threatened again in the fifth. Ross doubled with one out and later stole third, and the Broncos loaded the bases with two outs before UNLV escaped the inning.
   
• In the seventh, Johnny Luetzow doubled with one out and advanced to third on a flyout, but UNLV kept the game within two runs heading to the ninth.
   
• Jase Evangelista (2-0) earned the win for UNLV with two innings of shutout relief in the bottom of the ninth and 10th. Barragan finished 3 for 5 with two RBIs and two runs.

NOTABLE NUMBERS

• 14: Santa Clara pitchers combined for a season-high 14 strikeouts Friday. The staff has struck out at least 10 batters in six of its last seven games, going back to the nightcap of the SCU's doubleheader at California on Feb. 14.
   
• 27: Thomas Ferroggiaro drew a walk Friday to extend his reached base safely streak to 27 games, dating to last season. His 0-for-4 night ended his hitting streak at 12 games, which also dated back to 2025.

COMING UP

• The series continues at 1 p.m. Saturday with game two. Fans can purchase tickets and find all live coverage links on SantaClaraBroncos.com.