Dixie State opened its final homestand of the 2022 season on the wrong end of a 4-2 decision to UNLV on Wednesday night at Bruce Hurst Field.
 
The two teams were locked in a scoreless stalemate through the first seven innings. The Trailblazers had a chance to jump out to a quick lead in their first swings when Shane Taylor and Kaden Hollow both singled to put runners in the corners with one out in the opening frame.
 
However DSU was not able to take advantage as Zach Thomas lined into an inning-ending double play on a hit-and-run attempt. Dixie State also managed to get a runner to third in the sixth when Taylor again reached on a lead-off single and advanced station-to-station on a bunt and a wild pitch. But again the Blazers would be denied their first run.
 
Dixie State's pitching staff was also up to the task as four hurlers combined to limit the Rebels to four hits and did not allow a base runner past second base through the first six innings.
 
UNLV (31-16) looked as if it would take the first lead of the night when the Rebels loaded the bases with one out in the seventh against DSU southpaw Ben Hart. Hart had other ideas though, as he came back to strike out the next two batters he faced to keep the game scoreless.
 
The Rebels finally broke through in the eighth, scoring all four of their runs via the long ball to race out to a commanding lead. With two on and one out, reserve catcher Cole Andavolgyi blasted a towering three-run home run over the left field wall to get his side on the board. Then two batters later, Rylan Charles padded the UNLV with a solo shot to right field.
 
Dixie State's offense got off the deck in the bottom of the ninth when after Hollow reached on a lead-off walk, pinch hitter Will Chambers connected for an opposite field two-run homer to cut the deficit in half at 4-2.
 
Then with one out in the frame, Chase Rodriguez was plunked and would eventually advance to third on an errant pick off throw. Tyler Hollow followed with a walk to bring up the potential game-winning run, but Rebel reliever Connor Woods retired the final two Blazers he faced to end the game.
 
Taylor finished the night 2-for-4 at the plate to lead the Trailblazers, who finished with six hits overall.
 
UNLV starter Noah Beal (W, 6-1) fanned eight and scattered five hits over seven shutout innings to earn the win for the Rebels.
 
Dixie State returns to WAC action with a three-game series vs. Seattle U this Thursday-through-Saturday at Bruce Hurst Field.