LAS VEGAS, Nev. --- Portland's Mike Hicks belted his second home run of the season, but it wasn't enough as the UNLV Rebels defeated the Pilots 4-1 in a non-conference baseball game on Wednesday afternoon at Wilson Stadium The win gives UNLV both games of the quick two-game set.
 
Hicks' blast came in the in the top of the seventh inning with the bases empty. The homer to straight away center field pulled the Pilots (8-31-1) within three runs of their hosts, but the Rebels (16-28) would hold on for the win.
 
UNLV previously scored their first run in the bottom of the first inning after Justin Jones produced a two-out, RBI double. The Rebels score two unearned runs in the bottom of the third, with the help of a pair of Portland errors, and Payton Squier added an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth inning to push their lead to 4-0.
 
Christian Peters (0-1) made his first career start for the Pilots, and he's saddled with the loss after allowing one run in 2.0 innings. The Pilots used six pitchers on the day.
 
UNLV starter Paul Richy (2-3) tossed 7.0 innings, allowing one run on five hits. He fanned two and was followed by two relievers of out the bullpen.
 
The Pilots next travel to Stockton, Calif., for a three-game West Coast Conference series with the Pacific Tigers. First pitch for the Pilots and Tigers at Klein Family Field is scheduled for 6 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday, while Sunday's finale will begin at 12 p.m.