Michael Bowen's walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning helped third-seeded BYU avoid elimination with a 5-4 victory over No. 5-seed UNLV Wednesday morning at the 2009 Conoco Mountain West Conference Baseball Championship at Lupton Stadium.

After teammates Kent Walton and Steve Parker drew walks, Bowen got his golden opportunity and capitalized. The senior ripped a walk-off RBI single, which glanced off UNLV shortstop Anthony Morel's and into left field.

With the win, the Cougars advance in the loser's bracket and will next take the field at 11 a.m. CT Thursday. Bowen overcame an 0-for-4 afternoon before the liner off Marc Baca's fastball with one out and runners at first and second.

"It was a prime opportunity and we had the heart of our lineup coming up, and we had all the confidence in the world we were going to get it done right there," Bowen said. "I love those opportunities. I was so anxious. I couldn't wait to get somebody on second base."

"It was over his head, I thought," said Bowen. "Then, when he jumped I was like, 'Oh no.'"

BYU coach Vance Law was a also a little worried when he saw the ball hit the glove.

"As soon as it was hit I thought it was through," Law said. "But the way things have been going I thought we may get doubled off here."

BYU starter Jeremy Toole went six and two-third innings, allowing just three hits, while striking out three. Reliever Sean Amerson finished the game going one and two-third innings, striking out two and not allowing a hit. He stranded the go-ahead run at second base in the top of the ninth.

Walton finished 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored for BYU, while Parker added the other RBI for the Cougars.

UNLV trailed most of the game but rallied to tie the game with a two-run eighth.

"The ball just didn't bounce our way and that's the way it's gone most of the year for us," UNLV coach Buddy Gouldsmith said.