RENO, Nev. - The University of Nevada baseball team's first official practice of the 2011 season is this Friday, January 28. The Wolf Pack opens the season with two series on the road at UC Irvine Feb. 18-20 and Loyola Marymount Feb. 25-27, before its home opener vs. San Francisco State Mar. 1. Head Coach Gary Powers is entering his 29th season at Nevada and has a 856-674-5 career record. Powers is the longest tenured coach in the history of Nevada athletics.
The Wolf Pack went 36-22-1 overall and 14-9-1 in the Western Athletic Conference to finish tied for second in 2010. Six starters and 16 letter winners will return from last year's team.
Defending WAC Pitcher of the Year and second team All-WAC utility player Brock Stassi returns for his senior season after leading the Pack in innings pitched (78.2), wins (7), strikeouts (67) and posting a conference-low 3.43 ERA. When not on the mound, Stassi hit .364 with 16 doubles, nine home runs, 42 RBI and a WAC-leading five triples in 52 games as the Pack's designated hitter.
Second team All-WAC selections Brian Barnett, Jeremy Cole and Nick Melino also return. Melino hit .388 to lead all Nevada hitters and Barnett's 18 home runs, 71 RBI, 78 hits and .701 slugging percentage were all Nevada team highs. Cole went 4-3 with a 4.95 ERA in his first year at Nevada.
Also returning is WAC All-Tournament selection and Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American, Tom Jameson. Jameson went 6-1 with two saves, 30 strikeouts and posted a 3.84 ERA in 65.2 innings.
