Box Score March 17, 2015 Final Stats
Box Score
Season Statistics
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - After five scoreless innings with one hit a piece between Nevada and Sacramento State, the 29th-ranked Wolf Pack came alive down the stretch to out-pace the Hornets in a 6-2 victory Tuesday night at Raley Field. The Wolf Pack (16-4) scored four runs in the sixth inning to break a stalemate en route to its 16th victory of the season.
Playing at the Triple-A Rivercats' Raley Field, Nevada was held without a hit through four innings while neither team scored through five. Senior Jordan Devencenzi went 2-of-4 with two RBI and Nevada scored six runs in the final four innings to edge the Hornets (10-9).
Head coach Jay Johnson's Pack has matched the 1994 Nevada squad for most wins through 20 games. Nevada is on a three-game winning streak.
"This was a great team win behind very strong pitching," said Johnson. "We really executed offensively late in the game and played great defense throughout."
While the Wolf Pack offense shook off a slow start, the Hornets couldn't threaten a stout Nevada pitching staff. Nevada allowed two runs on six hits with 10 strikeouts compared to four walks. The Pack has allowed just eight runs in its past four games.
Sophomore LHP Trenton Brooks allowed one hit in three scoreless innings in his first start of the season. Junior RHP Sam Held improved to 3-0 in relief, logging two innings of work. Freshman LHP Jojo Romero and senior RHP Adam Whitt allowed just three hits in the final four innings to preserve the win.
Devencenzi recorded Nevada's first hit with a two-out single up the middle in the fifth inning. Senior Kyle Hunt was hit by pitch to put two runners on before the Hornets ended the inning with an unassisted out at third plate.
The Wolf Pack broke the stalemate in the top of the sixth, scoring one earned run and three unearned run. Freshman Cal Stevenson led off the frame with a single down the line. The Hornets intentionally walked junior Ryan Howell before Brooks drew a walk to load the bases. Stevenson scored the game's first run, scoring on a bases-loaded wild pitch.
Senior Kewby Meyer put the ball in play in the following at bat and Sacramento State attempted to get an out at home plate. The throw was off target and Howell scored from third while Meyer reached on the fielder's choice. With two runners in scoring position, Devencenzi tallied his second hit to score two runs with a single to left field as Nevada opened a 4-0 lead.
The Hornets got on the board in the bottom of the sixth following a leadoff double and RBI single on Held. Freshman LHP Jojo Romero entered the game with a runner in scoring position and no outs. Romero allowed one run before ending the sixth inning and striking out the side in the seventh inning. Romero lowered his ERA to 2.84.
Senior Jay Anderson drove in his first run of the season, laying down a sacrifice RBI to score Brooks in the eighth inning. Senior Austin Byler made it 6-2 in the top of the ninth with an insurance run, scoring Hunt with a sac fly.
Whitt allowed two base runners on two hits in the eighth and ninth innings, earning his ninth save of the season. The Carson City native leads Division I in saves. Nevada scored six runs on six hits, led by Stevenson's 3-of-5 effort at the plate and Devencenzi's two hits and two RBI. The Hornets scored two runs on two hits while using six pitchers in the loss.
The Wolf Pack will now play its first four-game series of the season, hosting the Bearcats of Cincinnati (6-11) on March 18-21 at Peccole Park. Nevada and Cincinnati will be meeting for the first time. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. PT on weekday games while Saturday's season finale will start at 1 p.m.
