RENO, Nev. - Louisiana Tech (27-26, 11-11 WAC) scored nine runs in the top of the first and Nevada (32-20-1, 12-9-1) was unable to recover dropping the second game of a Western Athletic Conference doubleheader at Peccole Park on Friday 14-8. The Wolf Pack won the first game on Friday 8-5 as the two teams split the doubleheader.
The loss snapped a season-high five-game win streak by the Pack leaving the squad 32-20-1 on the season and 12-9-1 in conference play. The Bulldogs improved to 27-26 overall and 11-11 in the WAC. With two games remaining the Pack are in third place one and one half game in front of LA Tech.
The Bulldogs scored nine runs on 10 hits in the top of the first to take a commanding early lead. Of the 10 hits, five were doubles in the explosive first inning. LA Tech scored three more runs in the third and two in the fourth to account for their 14 runs.
Nevada scored runs in the first, third, fourth and fifth innings but it was not enough to overcome the large deficit.
Pack right fielder Brian Barnett was the offense star for the Pack with three hits including a pair of two-run homers in the third and fourth innings along with driving home five runs. In the doubleheader Barnett had five hits of which three were home runs, one was a double and he finished with nine RBI. His 17 home runs this season moves him into a tie with Andy Dominque (1996), Don Price (2000) and Kevin Kouzmanoff (2003) for the seventh best season in Nevada history. Designated hitter Nick Melino hit his sixth home run of the season in game two.
Left fielder Kyle Roliard (4-for-5,3R,RBI) led six Bulldog hitters with multiple hits finishing with three. Designated hitter Will Alvis (2-for-3,2R,3RBI) and right fielder Devon Dageford (2-for-4,2R,3RBI) each drove in three in the game.
Jeremy Cole (4-2) allowed the nine runs in the first inning and retired just one hitter to suffer the loss. Caleb Dudley (3-3) earned the win pitching 3.1 innings of relief giving up two runs on four hits.
The two teams will play the third game of the series on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m.
Note: Barnett's 17 home runs moved him into a tie with Andy Dominque (1996), Don Price (2000) and Kevin Kouzmanoff (2003) for the seventh best season in Nevada history.
