LAS VEGAS, Nev. --- Portland's Ryan Hoogerwerf hit his first home run of the season, but the UNLV Rebels took an early lead before surging to a 12-2 win over the Pilots in a non-conference baseball game played on Tuesday night at Wilson Stadium.
 
Hoogerwerf's homer came in the top of the fifth when he led off the frame with a solo blast to left field. Later in the inning Beau Brundage drove in a run with an RBI infield single, which at the time pulled the Pilots (13-21) within 4-2.
 
But the Rebels (27-12) answered with four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, and they'd go on to add a run in the sixth, another in the seventh, and two more in the eighth. Previously they scored four runs in the bottom of the third to claim a 4-0 edge.
 
Brundage, who entered the night leading the WCC with a .389 batting average, went 2-for-4 at the plate, while Henry Cheney was 2-for-2 with a run scored.
 
Nick Ames belted two home runs for the Rebels to finish with five RBI's on the night. UNLV, which boasts one of the nation's best offenses, combined for five home runs against Portland pitching.
 
The Pilots used three pitchers, with the loss going to starter Joey Morris (1-1). He K'd three in 4.0 innings, and allowed five runs on seven hits.
 
The Rebels countered with four pitchers, and starter Garrett Poole (2-1) claims the win. Pooled yielded both of Portland's runs and all seven of their hits.
 
The Pilots and Rebels next conclude their quick two-game series on Wednesday afternoon, with first pitch set for 2:05 p.m.