RENO, Nev. – To help kick off the 2018 season, the Nevada softball program will hold its inaugural "Poker and Paint Night" at New West Distributing in Sparks on Jan. 12. Check in for the event is at 4:45 p.m. PT and features numerous activities for everyone, including a Texas Hold 'Em poker tournament as well as a Sip and Paint option, plus dinner and drinks.

"This event is really going to be something special for everyone involved," Nevada head coach Josh Taylor said. "A lot of people have played a big part in planning what is will be a fun night for those in attendance."

The poker tournament buy-in, which includes dinner and drinks, is $100 per person and re-buys are available for $20 and $40. Gifts will be awarded for those who advance to the final table and prizes are given to the top three finishers. The sip and paint event, which also includes dinner and drinks, is $75 and will be instructed by former Wolf Pack softball player and current art teacher at Wooster High School Alex Arciniega. Arciniega will led a group paint project where participants will paint an image of Lake Tahoe. A dinner-only option is also offered for just $25.

Along with the poker and paint, there will also be various items auctioned off that will help benefit the Nevada softball program. Fans will have the option to place bids on things like traveling with the team to the Libby Matson Tournament (Feb. 23-25) in Stockton, California and becoming an honorary coach for a week. Other auctioned items include an autographed bat from San Francisco Giants first baseman Brandon Belt and a golf package that contains a lesson from women's golf coach Kathleen Takaishi and a round at Toiyabe Golf Club.

For further information and to RSVP, contact Lisa McKinney at lisamckinney@unr.edu or by calling 503-5774236..