LAS VEGAS – Indiana State baseball fell to host UNLV in extra innings to open the Marucci Desert Classic Friday night in Las Vegas. The Rebels scored the last four runs of the game en route to a walk-off squeeze bunt.
 
UNLV (1-0) tied the ballgame in the eighth on a two-run home run from Nick Ames. Rebel leadoff man Bryson Scott powered a triple to right-center with one out in the 10th inning before coming home on a bunt single from Dillon Johnson.
 
Chris Ayers finished the game 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored while newcomer Jarrod Watkins opened his ISU career 2-for-5 with an RBI.
 
Ayers got the Sycamores (0-1) on the board in the second inning after driving in Roberto Enriquez with a single to center. ISU tallied three runs in the seventh after Jake Means reached on an error, allowing Ayers to score from second, followed by an RBI single from Watkins and a sacrifice fly from Dane Tofteland.
 
Overshadowed in the game was the performance of southpaw Tristan Weaver who made his debut for the Sycamores. The Auburn, Illinois product tossed 6.1 innings and struck out three while allowing just two runs in the no decision.
 
Geremy Guerrero and Ethan Larrison combined to pitch 2.2 innings. Guerrero was tagged for a run on one hit in two-thirds of an inning while Larrison gave up a run on one hit in two complete innings.
 
Tyler Whitbread (0-1) was charged with the loss while Bryan Menendez (1-0) picked up the win for the Rebels.
 
UNLV's Alan Strong went for five innings in his start, giving up just two hits and a run.
 
The Sycamores will continue play Saturday against Loyola Marymount (0-1). First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET from Wilson Field.
 
For the latest information on the Sycamore Baseball team, be sure to visit GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.