Nov. 17, 2015
Every Tuesday, the Nevada athletic communications department will post a feature story as part of its Wolf Pack Weekly series. These stories will provide fans with an inside look at the Wolf Pack, and will focus on athletes on the field, in the classroom or in the community.
By Brady Johnson
Assistant Director, Athletic Communications
RENO, Nev. - The defending Mountain West champion Nevada baseball team closed its fall training period last week with some drama on the diamond at Peccole Park.
In the annual Wolf vs. Pack World Series, Team Stolo - captained by senior LHP Christian Stolo - lost game one and trailed by four runs in the final inning of game two. Team Stolo rallied to an 11-10 extra-innings victory on sophomore Jed Sprague's RBI double in game two before clinching game three with a narrow 6-4 decision last Sunday at Peccole.
The showing from both sides, particularly related to competitiveness and focus, highlighted a strong fall season for first-year head coach T.J. Bruce and the Wolf Pack.
"We tried to replicate game environments all throughout the fall, especially with the Wolf vs. Pack World Series," said Bruce, who arrived at Nevada after five years as an assistant coach at UCLA. "We told the guys that now is the time to set the bar for how competitive this team really is. I think they set that bar at a good place and now we have to carry that over to individual winter work."
The dramatic finish and positive results in the Pack's annual intrasquad scrimmage sent the Wolf Pack into its winter break period on a high note. Yet, that high note wouldn't be indicative of the adversity the team overcame this fall.
Nevada lost a teammate in October with the passing of freshman Austin Gorrell. Just days later, coach Bruce's father passed away. The following weeks were as tough of times as any team can experience, and although it continues to be tough for Nevada, the Wolf Pack feels it has come together as a team and family, and has forged resiliency and togetherness as part of its identity.
"More so than anything, I've learned that this team is resilient," said Bruce. "They've dealt with some things that no teams will ever have to go through. They've faced a lot but have stayed together as a team and have shown resiliency."
Senior Bryce Greager, who earned All-MW honors last season after batting .355 with 41 RBI, added that he felt the team relied heavily on each other to mourn and come together.
"We all relied on each other and helped each other get through it," said Greager. "It wasn't just one guy helping us pull through - it was the entire team relying on each other. I think we've come together as a team and we'll eventually come through this as a better team,"
After six weeks of practice this fall, Nevada will go through player meetings and additional work outs this week before breaking for individual winter work. During that period, each player will be tasked with working and improving on their own before returning for spring camp in January.
The period will be vital for the Pack to not only retain momentum from fall, but to improve and arrive to spring camp better across the board.
"This period is very important," said Greager, who is one of nine seniors on the 2015-16 team. "It's important for everybody to keep up with their work and build off the fall. I think there's a lot of trust involved too. We're not together, but there's a lot of trust knowing that everybody is going to keep working hard and taking care of what they need to."
Nevada returns 22 players, including 13 letter winners and the reigning MW Player and Pitcher of the Year, from last year's team that won 42 games and claimed the school's first MW title. Additionally, the Pack welcomed 10 newcomers - which consists of seven transfers and three freshmen - to the roster.
Bruce said the Pack's fall practice season was largely positive and highlighted the team's attitude and versatility as two strengths. Additionally, Bruce said his transition from assistant to head coach has been smooth.
"It's all about the people and I'm very fortunate to work in this department with such great people," said Bruce. "I don't think you can be completely prepared for it (the transition from assistant to head coach), but after working with one of the best coaches around for five years, I felt that I was as prepared as possible."
The Wolf Pack will begin its 2015-16 season on Feb. 19-21 in Mesa, Ariz. with a four-game series against Northwestern of the Big Ten. Nevada's home opener is set for March 1 against Santa Clara at Peccole Park.
Wolf Pack Weekly Archives - Last Five
Nov. 10, 2015 - Softball Oct. 20, 2015 - Women's Basketball
Oct. 13, 2015 - Niki Silveria, Rifle
Oct. 6, 2015 - James Butler, Football
Sept, 29, 2015 - Khoo sisters, Women's Golf
