Ruston, La. –  The University of Nevada(26-19, 13-9 WAC) baseball team scored four runs in the top of the ninth to knock off Louisiana Tech(20-25, 5-19 WAC) 8-4 on Saturday afternoon at JC Love Field in Ruston, La.  After falling 9-3 earlier in the day in a game that was completed after rain Friday night postponed the finish, the Wolf Pack scored victory in the second game of the four-game Western Athletic Conference series to improve to 26-19 on the year and 13-9 in conference play.  The Bulldogs fell to 20-25 and 5-19 in WAC action.

La Tech got a sacrifice fly from pitcher Jericho Jones in the top of the first inning to take an early 1-0 lead.  Shortstop Nick Grunenwald scored the run after he singled with one down in the inning to reach base.  In the top of the third inning Pack center fielder Jason Sadoian’s double off the center field wall scored second baseman David Ciarlo from first base to tie the game at 1-1.  Ciarlo reached after collecting a single with one down in the inning.

Nevada broke the tie with four runs in the top of the seventh inning to move in front 5-1.  Right fielder Mike Hale’s sixth home run of the season scored designated hitter Terry Walsh who started the inning with a single to make it 3-1.  With two down left fielder Matt Bowman doubled over the head of the Tech left fielder to score catcher Tyson Jaquez and Sadoian.  Jaquez reached base on an error and Sadoian walked.

The Bulldogs got a three-run homer from third baseman Chris Kersten in the bottom of the eighth inning to close the gap to 5-4.  The home run scored second baseman Kevin Winn and first baseman Albie Goulder who both singled in the inning. 

Looking for insurance runs in the ninth inning the Pack scored three times on a bases clearing double by first baseman Shaun Kort.  Shortstop Kevin Rodland was hit by pitch in the head to start the inning and then second baseman David Ciarlo was hit in the face trying to bunt him to second.  Ciarlo was taken to the hospital by ambulance but all tests were negative and he later returned to the team hotel.  Sadoian’s ground ball advanced both runners but Bowman popped up to first base for the second out of the inning.  La Tech intentionally walked the hot hitting Jason Rodriguez to face a struggling Shaun Kort.  On the second pitch Kort saw in the at bat he doubled home all three runs to make it 8-4.

Grunenwald led off the bottom of the ninth with a single but was quickly erased on a 6-4-3 double play.  Jones then reached on an error but Goulder’s fly ball to left field ended the game.

Pack starter Kyle Howe(7-1) won his seventh of the season giving up four runs on 11 hits and struck out a season-high eight in 7.1 innings on the mound.  Reliever Chris Garcia(1) earned his first save of the year tossing 1.2 innings of one hit shutout baseball.  Jones(5-5) suffered the loss giving up four runs, three earned in 6.1 innings of action for the Bulldogs.

Hale(3-for-4,R,2RBI) and Sadoian(2-for-3,R,RBI) had three and two hits respectively to lead the team.  Kort topped the Pack with three RBI while Bowman and Hale contributed two each.

Grunenwald(3-for-4,R) and Goulder(3-for-5,R) had three hits each for the Bulldogs.  Win(2-for-5,R), Kersten(2-for-3,R,3RBI) and Clay Alexander(2-for-4) added two hits each.  Kersten drove three of Tech’s four runs with his 11^th home run of the season.

The two squads will conclude the series tomorrow with a doubleheader scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Pacific time.

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