LAS VEGAS (Interstat) — The UNLV Runnin’ Rebels unleashed a historic offensive barrage Sunday, erasing an early nine-run deficit with a relentless hitting display to crush the Bradley Braves 20-9 at Earl Wilson Stadium.

The most important part of the game was the immediate and overwhelming response by UNLV in the bottom of the first inning. After Bradley was held scoreless in the top half, the Runnin’ Rebels sent 10 batters to the plate against Braves starter Ryan Schaffnit, ripping five consecutive extra-base hits to ignite a stunning five-run rally. Reggie Bussey started it with a double, followed by an RBI double from Marcos Rosales, an RBI double from Ayden Garcia, an RBI double from Drew Barragan and an RBI triple from Nin Burns II. Jonny Rodriguez’s groundout plated Burns II, transforming what could have been a daunting early hole into a manageable 9-5 game before many fans had settled into their seats.

UNLV’s offense, which amassed 23 hits, never relented. The Runnin’ Rebels batted around again in the second inning, scoring six more runs to seize an 11-9 lead they would not relinquish. Garcia and Barragan each delivered two-run hits in the frame, with Cooper Sheff adding a two-run single off reliever Joey Cirelli.

Bradley, which managed only six hits, briefly showed life in the fourth inning. AJ Garcia’s two-run single and a double steal that saw Andre Vidal steal home cut the UNLV lead to 11-9. The Braves, however, would get no closer as the Runnin’ Rebels’ bullpen took control.

UNLV relievers Gavyn Bowen and Jacob Gomberg were particularly dominant, combining for 3.1 hitless innings. Bowen struck out three over two frames, and Gomberg entered with the bases loaded in the eighth and struck out the only batter he faced to snuff out Bradley’s final threat, part of a 1.1-inning, three-strikeout outing.

The Runnin’ Rebels steadily pulled away, scoring in four consecutive innings from the fifth through the eighth. Barragan, the top star for UNLV, led the charge, going 4-for-6 with four RBIs. Burns II was 3-for-5 with three RBIs, Ayden Garcia went 4-for-6 with three RBIs, and Sheff drove in three runs. Pinch-hitter Jayden Sanchez provided the exclamation point with a two-run homer in the seventh inning, part of a 2-for-2, three-RBI day.

For Bradley, AJ Garcia drove in two runs and Landon Lowe had three hits and an RBI. Cirelli provided a bright spot out of the bullpen with 2.1 scoreless innings of relief, and Tristan Duke pitched a scoreless eighth.

The victory completed a three-game sweep for UNLV over Bradley, improving the Runnin’ Rebels’ season record to 5-2. The Braves fell to 1-6. The 20-run output defied the pregame projection from Interstat’s game simulator, which had forecast an 8-6 Bradley victory, though UNLV’s ELO rating gave them a 70.2% probability to win.

UNLV next hosts Western Michigan for a two-game midweek series starting Tuesday. Bradley travels to face Tennessee-Martin for a three-game set beginning Friday.