Box Score RENO, Nev. - The University of Nevada baseball team (15-20, 4-3 WAC) defeated the New Mexico State Aggies (27-13, 5-7 WAC) 8-3 today to complete its four-game sweep of the season.
LHP Brock Stassi (1-1, 6.59 ERA) earned his first victory of the season, holding the Aggies to two runs (one earned) on five hits in five innings. Stassi struck out four hitters and walked four.
Both teams were hitless through the first inning and NMSU drew first blood in the second inning when Aggies right fielder Bryan Karraker (0-for-3, R) scored on an RBI single by third baseman Kurt Snowley (1-for-4, RBI).
The Wolf Pack answered quickly with two runs its own in the bottom of the second on a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch by Garrett Yrigoyen (1-for-2, 2 RBI) and a bases-loaded ground out by Carlos Escobar Jr. (0-for-4).
The Pack stretched its lead to 6-2 in the fourth scoring four runs on three hits, one walk and one hit-by-pitch. Nick Melino (2-for-3, 3 R, RBI) came to the plate with one out and the bases loaded and took the second pitch he saw off his right leg scoring Waylen Sing Chow. Hugo Hernandez (2-for-3, R, 2 RBI) followed with a two-run single into center field.
Nevada added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth on a two-run single by Braden Shipley (1-for-4, 2 RBI).
Mark Joukoff (1-5, 6.47 ERA) pitched two scoreless, hitless innings in relief of Brock Stassi and Tim Culligan (1-2, 9.42 ERA) allowed two hits and one run in the eighth inning. Matt Gardner (2-0, 4 SV, 0.00 ERA) pitched a scoreless ninth in a non-save situation for the second consecutive day and is still yet to give up an earned run in 12.2 innings this season. The Pack pitching staff held the Aggies to just five earned runs and posted a 1.32 ERA this weekend.
Nevada travels to Louisiana Tech for four games next weekend before returning home for the final two home series of 2011 vs. Hawai'i May 5-7 and Sac State May 13-15.
--nevadawolfpack--
