Riverside, Calif. The University of Nevada (2-2) baseball team dropped the first game of a three-game series at UC Riverside (1-0) 8-4 on Thursday afternoon at the Riverside Sports Complex in Riverside, Calif. The loss leaves the Pack 2-2 on the season while the victory came in the season opener for the Highlanders.
UCR scored a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the third inning to grab the lead. Designated hitter Ryan Goetz started the inning with a single and with one down center fielder Carl Uhl singled to put two runners on base. A passed ball moved the runners into scoring position. A two-out infield single by left fielder Aaron Wible combined with a throwing error by Pack shortstop Chris Siewert scored both runs and the Highlanders led 2-0.
In the bottom of the third inning UCR got back to back doubles from third baseman Kyle Barratt and Jeff Dunbar to score a run to go on top 3-0. The Wolf Pack scored two runs in the top of the fifth inning to make it a one run game at 3-2. Right fielder Matt Suleski collected an infield single and moved to second base on a throwing error. Catcher Konrad Schmidt delivered and RBI single and later scored on second baseman David Ciarlo’s RBI single.
The Highlanders scored two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to go back in front by three, 5-2. Pinch hitter Michael Hur singled and second baseman Ben Price walked. Uhl doubled home both runs to make the score 5-2. A two-out error in the bottom of the eighth inning by second baseman David Ciarlo led to three unearned runs scored by UCR to put the game out of reach.
Trailing 8-2 Nevada scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning to make the final score 8-4. First baseman Dan Eastham, scored Sulseski who singled and Schmidt who was hit by a pitch, with his double over the left fielder.
Pack starter Ryan Rodriguez(0-1) allowed three runs but just one was earned on seven hits in five innings on the mound and was tagged with the loss. Marc Rzepczynski(1-0) got the win after surrendering two runs on five hits while striking out six in five innings on the mound. Pat Cassa(1) earned the save pitching the final four innings. Cassa allowed two runs on two hits in the game.
Suleski(2-for-4,2R) and Schmidt(2-for-3,2R,RBI) led the Pack with two hits each. Eastham topped Nevada with his two RBI. Outfielder Matt Bowman had his 10-game hit streak snapped going hitless in three at bats.
Uhl(3-for-4) had a game-high three hits for UCR and led the Highlanders with two RBI.
Game two of the series is set for Friday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. at the Riverside Sports Complex.
Notes:
Matt Bowman had his 10-game hit streak snapped.
