LAS VEGAS (Interstat) — In a nonconference college baseball game defined by a stunning reversal of fortune, the Arizona State Sun Devils survived a furious eight-run eighth inning by the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels to escape with a 12-11 victory Monday night at T-Mobile Arena.

The Sun Devils, who entered as heavy favorites according to projections, appeared to have the game firmly in hand, building a 12-0 lead through five and a half innings behind a dominant start from Easton Barrett and a relentless offensive attack. The Runnin’ Rebels, however, mounted a historic comeback that fell just one run short, turning a potential blowout into a nail-biting finish.

Arizona State (18-6) struck early and often against UNLV starter Marton, scoring once in the first inning on a wild pitch and an RBI groundout from Dominic Smaldino. They broke the game open with a three-run second, highlighted by RBI singles from Ryan Hairston and Nick Roellig, and added four more in the third on a two-run double by shortstop PJ Moutzouridis. The Sun Devils capped their scoring with a three-run fifth, keyed by a two-run double from Smaldino, to take a commanding 12-0 lead.

That cushion was built largely on the right arm of Barrett. The Sun Devils’ starter was brilliant, tossing five no-hit innings, walking none and striking out nine. He faced just one batter over the minimum, with a double play erasing a second-inning walk. Barrett’s performance continued a strong run, following three scoreless innings against Grand Canyon on March 17.

The game’s trajectory shifted dramatically once Barrett exited. UNLV (15-10) finally broke through against the Arizona State bullpen in the sixth. Drew Barragan laced a two-run triple and later scored on a wild pitch to cut the deficit to 12-3.

The real fireworks came in the bottom of the eighth. Trailing by nine runs, the Runnin’ Rebels sent 14 men to the plate against four Arizona State relievers. The inning was fueled by a combination of timely hitting, walks and critical Sun Devil errors. After an RBI walk by Austin Bussey made it 12-7 with the bases loaded, UNLV second baseman Marcos Rosales delivered the monumental blow—a grand slam home run to deep left field off reliever Fitzpatrick. The four-run shot suddenly brought the Runnin’ Rebels all the way back, turning a 12-3 deficit into a 12-11 ballgame and electrifying the home crowd.

Arizona State manager finally stopped the bleeding by bringing in Taylor Penn, who recorded the final out of the eighth. Derek Schaefer then worked a scoreless ninth to earn the save, navigating around a walk and a wild pitch before inducing a game-ending 6-4-3 double play.

Despite the late-inning collapse, the Sun Devils’ early offense proved just enough. They collected 12 hits, with Moutzouridis going 3-for-6 with two RBIs and Smaldino driving in three runs on a double and a groundout. UNLV finished with 11 hits, led by Rosales’ 2-for-5, four-RBI night that featured the pivotal grand slam. Barragan also had a standout performance, going 4-for-5 with two RBIs.

Relievers Colton Sundloff and Jacob Gomberg provided crucial stability for UNLV, combining for 4 1/3 scoreless innings of one-hit ball to keep the Rebels within striking distance. Arizona State grounded into three double plays, while UNLV hit into two.

The win moves Arizona State to 18-6 on the season, while UNLV falls to 15-10. The Sun Devils are scheduled to host New Mexico State on Wednesday, while the Runnin’ Rebels will open a series against San Jose State on Friday. The two teams are set to meet again in Tempe on April 8.