LOS ANGELES, Calif. – In its series opener at USC Friday night, the Nevada baseball team dropped a 3-1 contest to the Trojans at Dedeaux Field.
 
The Wolf Pack (4-5) struck first in the game, getting on the scoreboard in the top of the first on a solo home run to left field by redshirt sophomore Dario Gomez. It marked Gomez's team-leading second long ball of the season and put Nevada up early 1-0. Wolf Pack starting pitcher Jake Jackson put up zeros in the runs column in the Trojans (4-6) first couple of frames of the ball game. It wasn't until the bottom of the third when USC struck for its first of three runs, plating one on an RBI single.
 
The Trojans scored one more run in their half of the sixth, but the damage could have been much worse. USC loaded the bases with no outs but the Wolf Pack held its opponent to just one run, getting a double play groundout, which scored the lone run, and a strikeout from Alejandro Murillo to end the inning with a runner stranded on third. Nevada threatened with the bases loaded and no outs as well in the top of the eighth, and trailing 2-1, after drawing two walks and a hit by pitch. The Trojans got out of the bases loaded jam unscathed though after back-to-back strikeouts and a line out to center field. USC managed an insurance run in the later half of that inning to stake a 3-1 advantage, which proved to be all it would need.
 
Nevada finished the game with the one run on three hits, getting one hit, the home run, from Gomez, and two hits from Anthony Flores, both singles. Jackson was saddled with the loss after giving up two earned runs on seven hits. Murillo tossed the other three innings and surrendered just one hit while striking out three.
 
Nevada and USC will continue their three-game series on Saturday with the second game slated to begin at 2 p.m.
 
FOLLOW THE PACK
Stay up-to-date on all the happenings with the Nevada baseball program on social media via Twitter (@NevadaBaseball) and Instagram (@nevadawolfpackbaseball).