The Nevada men’s baseball team took two games versus the New Mexico Lobos in a three-game home-stand at Peccole Park. The Pack improved to 10-8 on the season and 3-3 in conference, taking the series against a tough Lobos squad.

GAME ONE

Nevada’s balanced play on both sides of the ball propelled them to a 5-3 victory over New Mexico to steal game one of the series.

Five runs of support was more than enough for Ryan Anderson. The 6’6” southpaw gave up just one earned run on four hits with six strikeouts in 6.2 innings. His three-pitch mix of fastball, changeup and slider painted the corners and tied batters at the hands to force forced unproductive flyouts for the Lobos.

Anderson is 4-1 this season and his ERA dipped to 1.99.

Offensively, the Pack laced 11 hits on the day. Weston Hatten went 2-3 with two RBI. Jaylon McLaughlin tied a career-high three hits and one RBI. Josh Zamora and Marco Valenzuela recorded one RBI apiece.

Nevada jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second. Hatten’s single went over the head of third baseman Connor Wang and rolled down the third base line, scoring Jaylon McLaughlin and Marco Valenzuela.

The Lobos answered with a run in the third courtesy of a two-out rally. Freshman Tyler Kelly laced his first career triple over the head of McLaughlin to right-center. Hayden Schilling brought the speedy leadoff hitter home off an infield RBI single make the game 2-1.

Anderson closed out the fourth with a pick-off at second base and back-to-back strikeouts. Josh Zamora’s RBI dribbler put the Pack back up 3-1 heading into the fifth. McLaughlin’s RBI double in the very next frame gave Nevada a commanding four-run lead.

The Lobos continued to struggle against Anderson’s three-pitch mix and Nevada took advantage with another run in the bottom of the seventh. Valenzuela’s single down the first base line scored McLaughlin for the second time of the contest to give the Pack a 5-1 advantage.

New Mexico recorded two more run in the final two frames, but the damage was done. The Nevada bullpen did just enough to seal the victory led by Grant Ford and Bradley Bonnenfant.

GAME TWO

New Mexico responded with a 9-3 rout of the Wolf Pack to tie the series 1-1. The Lobos recorded two or more runs in three separate frames and put the contest in a one-sided affair.

Freshman right-hander Owen Sharts (2-3) had his worst start of the season. Sharts surrendered seven earned runs on nine hits and two walks in just 3.2 innings of work. Sharts’ breaking ball hung over the plate and the Lobos capitalized with several drives to the gap in left-center field.

The Lobos tallied 12 hits, including two homers from Connor and Jared Mang. Another dominant outing from pitcher Nathaniel Garley (4-0) kept Nevada’s offense in check. Garley gave up just one earned run on five hits and four strikeouts in seven innings of work.

The Wolf Pack recorded six seven hits in the loss with just two three extra base-hits. Matt Clayton had a two-RBI double in a pinch-hit appearance. Second baseman Keaton Smith and catcher Marco Valenzuela each recorded a double apiece. Tyler Bosetti went 2-3 in the leadoff spot.

New Mexico attacked Sharts early with a two-hit, two-run first inning highlighted by an RBI single and a wild pitch that advanced Hayden Schilling home. The Lobos plated two more in the third off a two-run homer from Connor Mang to put them up 4-0. Nevada stranded two base runners in the bottom half and failed to close any gap.

The Lobos broke the game wide open with a three-run fourth inning capped-off by three-straight two-out base hits to keep the rally going. New Mexico held a commanding 8-0 lead and tallied 10 hits in four frames. Valenzuela scored the Pack’s first run of the contest off a pass ball from Garley. New Mexico tacked on another run in the sixth.

Clayton’s two-run double in the ninth closed the gap, but the Lobos’ offensive assault was too much for the Pack.

GAME THREE

With the help of an early offensive flury and bullpen help in the later innings, the Wolf Pack clinched the series with a 6-4 victory over New Mexico.

Nevada’s seven hits produced six runs with the help of a long ball and several pass balls from the Lobos’ pitching staff. Josh Zamora led the way, going 3-4 with a double and a solo shot to left field. Matt Clayton, Keaton Smith and Marco Valenzuela each recorded one RBI apiece.

Tyler Smith recorded the win for the Pack. Smith blanked the Lobos through 2.2 innings with three strikeouts in 25 pitches. Nevada starter Jake Jackson pitched three shutout innings.

Nevada struck first in the bottom of the second with an RBI triple from Keaton Smith that sailed over the head of left fielder Jeff Deimling. Valenzuela put the Pack up 2-0 by reaching on an error to advance Smith to home plate.

Nick Seamons’ sliding grab in left forced a 7-6-4 double play to escape the third with the Lobos threatening to score, and the Pack took advantage in the bottom half of the frame. Zamora’s third homer of the season to left-center tacked on another run. Clayton’s RBI groundout capped-off a two-hit, three-run inning to put the Pack in charge 5-0.

New Mexico answered with a hit-and-run to put runners on second and third to start the fourth inning. Zack Doak brought the two runners home with a chopper through the gap in short and third to cut their deficit 5-2.

The Lobos struck once again with a two-run bomb off the bat of Jared Mang to trim the score 5-4 in the fifth. New Mexico’s four unanswered runs was erased by Weston Hatten’s steal-and-score to cushion Nevada’s lead 6-4.

Smith and Grant Ford blanked the Lobos’ offense through three frames. Ford recorded the save and racked up four outs on seven pitches to close out the eighth and to open the ninth.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Nevada’s balance play ultimately won them two hard-fought games, whether it’s a dominant start from Ryan Anderson, to tacking on six runs to close out the series. The Wolf Pack’s offense is starting to pick up some steam, and Owen Sharts won’t have consistent struggles on the mound. With plenty of season left to play, Nevada is finding its stride with steady play on the mound and timely offense.

NEXT UP:

Nevada will stay in town to face Saint Mary’s for one game Tuesday, March 19. The Gaels are 12-6 overall and 2-0 in conference play this season.