Stockton, Calif. - Pacific(4-6) got a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning from Adam Ching to defeat Nevada(4-8) 7-6 in the final game of a three-game series at Klein Family Field in Stockton, Calif. With the victory the Tigers won the series 2-1 and improved to 4-6 while the Pack dropped to 4-8.
With Nevada leading 6-4 Pacific catcher Joe Oliveira doubled to start the bottom of the ninth inning and a walk to center fielder Joe Centanni brought third baseman Justin Baum to the plate. Baum had already hit a three-run homer but Pack pitcher Kody Keroher got him to pop up to second base. Unfortunately Ching followed with a three-run homer to center field to give the Tigers the 7-6 victory.
Baum staked the Tigers to 3-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning blasting a three-run homer over the right field fence. Baum's first home run of the season scored shortstop Josh Powers and Oliveira who singled to start the inning.
A single by second baseman David Ciarlo and a double by catcher Konrad Schmidt scored the Pack's first run of the game in the top of the fourth inning. In the bottom of the fourth inning Pacific got the run back when Erik Hamren scored on a wild pitch after reaching base on single and moved around to third base in the inning.
Schmidt hit his fifth home run of the season in the top of the sixth to make the score 4-2. Schmidt delivered again in the top of the seventh inning blasting a three-run homer over the left field fence to put the Pack on top 5-4. The homer scored shortstop Owen Mackedon who singled and first baseman Shaun Kort who drew a walk. Center fielder Jason Sadoian scored from third base on a throwing error by Ching in the top of the ninth inning to score the Pack's sixth run of the game.
Keroher(1-1) took the loss after allowing the three-run homer in the ninth inning. UOP reliever Jake Wild(1-1) earned his first win of the season.
Schmidt(3-for-4,2R,5RBI) was the offensive star for the Pack collecting three hits and drove in five runs in the game. He blasted two home runs and his third hit was double. Third baseman Chris Siewert(2-for-4) and Sadoian(2-for-3,R) had two hits for the Pack.
Ching(2-for-4,R,3RBI) had two hits and three RBI coming on the game winning home run to top the Tigers offense.
Nevada plays its home opener on Tuesday hosting St. Mary's College at Peccole Park with first pitch slated for 2:00 p.m.
Notes: Schmidt had his second 2-run homer game of the season. The previous one came last Sunday at Cal Poly.
