RENO, NEV. - Trailing 3-1 the University of Nevada (6-3) scored the next 16 runs to defeat Central Arkansas (3-5) 17-10, in its home opener at Peccole Park Friday afternoon. The win was the third in a row for the Wolf Pack as they moved to 6-3 on the season while the Bears fell to 3-1.
Nevada scored twice in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game at 3-3. Left fielder Brian Barnett had a double which was the only hit of the inning as UCA committed a costly error.
In the bottom half of the fifth inning six Pack players scored. Back-to-back two RBI doubles by designated hitter Brock Stassi and left fielder Nick Leid were the big hits in the inning.
Catcher Michael Turay doubled home three runs as part of Nevada's five-run sixth inning. Barnett delivered his first home run for the Silver & Blue in the seventh inning which scored three runs to account for the final three runs of the game for the Wolf Pack.
UCA scored the final seven runs of the game off the Pack bullpen to make the final score 17-10.
Beau Witsoe (2-1) earned his second win of the season allowing three runs, one earned on four hits in five innings on the mound. Michael Wild (0-2) lost his second game of the year giving up nine runs, eight earned in 4.2 innings of action.
Shortstop Kevin Rodland (2-for-4,2R), center fielder Westley Moss (2-for-4,2R,RBI), Barnett (2-for-4,4R,4RBI), Stassi (2-for-4,2R,3RBI) and Leid (2-for-3,3R,2RBI) had two hits each for the Pack. Barnett drove in a game-high four runs while Stassi and Turay had three RBI apiece.
Designated hitter Chase Huchingson (3-for-5,R,3RBI) and right fielder Jake Fuller (2-for-5,R) topped the Bears with three and two hits respectively. Huchingson drove in three runs with two coming on his first home run of the season.
Game two of the series is slated for 1:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon.
