LAS VEGAS — Most trips to “Sin City” start with parties, excitement and a feeling of invincibility that comes with the entertainment capital of the world.

By the end of the visit, moments are forgotten, items are lost and pure exhaustion overcomes visitors, as they head for the airport.

For No. 22 Arizona State (18-6 4-2), the newly ranked program experienced the highs and lows of Las Vegas in a condensed time frame, as a dominant 12-0 start through five innings turned into nothing short of a nightmare

After an 11-run eighth inning, UNLV (15-10) found itself with runners on first and second with only one out, and with seemingly all the momentum on its side.

Yet a game of two very different halves took one more twist.

Senior left fielder Jack Salmon stepped up to the plate, with a chance to send his already hysterical dugout into even more of a frenzy; however, he grounded sharply into a 4-6-3 double play to end the game and awaken ASU from its bad dream.

The Sun Devils survived an almost historic comeback from the Rebels on Monday, March 23, evening, clinging to a 12-11 victory over UNLV at Las Vegas Ballpark. In a game that once had fans questioning whether the run-rule would be in effect, the dramatic finish encapsulated the very city the contest took place in. 

In its first game ranked by D1 baseball in over a calendar year, the first five innings proved exactly why ASU is one of two ranked teams from the Big 12, led by none other than its star sophomore outfielder, Landon Hairston.

Hairston dominated at the dish once again, going 3-for-3 with a walk and four runs scored on the day, leading the Sun Devil offense to a huge run total before leaving the game in the sixth inning.

While the offense took advantage of 11 free passes which included six walks and five hit-by-pitches, the bats were not the brightest thing under the lights.

Sophomore left handed pitcher Easton Barrett shone in one of America’s biggest cities, shutting down any command concerns he had entering his start.

The southpaw threw five innings of scoreless ball, allowing just two hits two walks and striking out a season high nine batters.

The lack of walks was massive for the sophomore, as 15 walks in 8 ⅓ innings had plagued his season. Barrett excelled getting ahead in counts and working efficiently against the Rebels. 

The southpaw received the win, but the late-inning chaos made his decision an afterthought.

After jumping out to the commanding 12-run advantage, head coach Willie Bloomquist began the regular process of getting his substitutions into the game and spreading out the playing time, something fans are used to seeing when games are seemingly out of reach.

Yet being up big, winning and having a great time before almost losing it all is exactly what Las Vegas gets its reputation for. 

The final three frames came up all aces for UNLV, as a plethora of both mental and physical miscues by ASU allowed the Rebels to slowly chip away at their massive deficit.

Three runs in the sixth inning and three more in the eighth forced Bloomquist to throw potentially his best bullpen arm into the game, as he called on senior left-hander Sean Fitzpatrick to close the door.

Fitzpatrick proceeded to walk in a run before surrendering a grand slam to junior second baseman Marcos Rosales, bringing the Rebels within one run and turning a once quiet dugout on its head.

A quiet top of the ninth inning for the Sun Devils put the game into the hands of junior right-hander Derek Schaefer, a self proclaimed stopper who loves shutting the door more than anyone.

While the inning was eventful, Schaefer worked through a one out walk and what could have been a complete disaster, proving that even when underdogs think they have hope, the house always wins.

While Monday’s victory appears as a win in the record books, the back half of the contest provided plenty of what not to do in its upcoming series against No. 17 West Virginia.

The Sun Devils leave Las Vegas just like most tourists, with an increased blood pressure and a need for sleep, but also the satisfaction of winning even when the odds may be against them.