LAS VEGAS (Interstat) — Marcos Rosales went 4 for 5 with two home runs and six RBIs to power the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels to an 18-7 rout of the San Jose State Spartans in a Mountain West Conference baseball game Friday night at Earl Wilson Stadium.

The game, a stark departure from the Interstat game simulator’s projection of a 7-6 San Jose State victory, was decisively swung by a 10-run fourth inning by UNLV that transformed a tight contest into a runaway.

San Jose State struck first, capitalizing on early mistakes to take a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Alex Fernandes led off with a double and eventually scored on an error by UNLV shortstop Gunnar Myro. The Runnin’ Rebels answered with two runs in the bottom of the frame, sparked by a Reggie Bussey double and an RBI single from Rosales.

The Spartans reclaimed the lead in the third inning. After an RBI single from Peyton Rowles, first baseman JC OsorioAgard launched a three-run homer to deep right field, pushing San Jose State ahead 5-2. UNLV responded immediately in the bottom of the second, with Rosales blasting a three-run homer to tie the game at 5-5.

San Jose State added two more in the top of the fourth on a two-run single by Rowles, making it 7-5. The bottom of the fourth, however, became the defining chapter of the game. UNLV sent 15 batters to the plate, racking up eight hits and taking advantage of two wild pitches, a passed ball and an error to score 10 runs and seize a commanding 15-7 lead.

The inning featured a two-RBI double from Nin Burns II, a two-RBI double from Myro, an RBI triple from Bussey and an RBI double from Drew Barragan. Rosales added an RBI single earlier in the onslaught. San Jose State used three pitchers in the inning, unable to stop the relentless Rebels lineup.

UNLV reliever Yates Bland entered in the fourth and provided critical stability, throwing 3 1/3 scoreless innings with three strikeouts to earn the win. Burns II added a solo home run in the fifth, and Rosales capped his stellar night with a solo shot in the sixth for the final margin.

Landon Marchetti provided a bright spot for San Jose State out of the bullpen, striking out six over 2 2/3 hitless innings, though two unearned runs scored during his outing.

Rosales, who had been in a recent slump, broke out emphatically. His six RBIs and four hits led a UNLV offense that amassed 18 hits total. Rowles drove in three for the Spartans, who managed nine hits but stranded opportunities after the early innings.

With the victory, UNLV improved to 16-10 overall. San Jose State fell to 11-13. The teams continue their three-game series Saturday.