New Mexico 10, Nevada 8
Sunday, March 17, 2024
Reno, Nev. - Don Weir Field at Peccole Park

WP: Arthur Steinkamp (1-1)
LP: Nico Wagner (0-2)
SV: Josh Barnhouse (1)

RENO, Nev. - Nevada could not complete the series sweep over New Mexico Sunday, falling 10-8 in the finale at Don Weir Field at Peccole Park.

The Wolf Pack (8-9, 4-2 MW) left nine runners on base, including seven in scoring position, in the defeat. Nevada's last threat came in the seventh, loading the bases with none out and trailing 10-7, but getting only one in on a sacrifice fly before Lobo reliever Josh Barnhouse got JR Freethy to ground into an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play.

The teams traded the lead four times over the first five innings, combining for 15 runs. Both teams put three across in the first, before the Pack took a one-run lead on Taylor Holder's RBI single in the second.

Devon Dixon answered with a two-run single in the third for New Mexico (12-8, 4-2 MW). Nevada looked to take control in its half of the fourth, plating three to take a 7-5 lead. Holder, who went 2-for-5 on the day, drove in Freethy again, this time with a double. Bryce Matthews went the other way against reliever Arthur Steinkamp, lacing a double into left-center to plate Holder, and came in on a wild pitch after advancing to third on a groundout.

New Mexico, however, would take the lead for good in the fifth. Nico Wagner came on to start the inning in relief of Pack starter Peyton Fosher, and gave up a walk and consecutive doubles to Jake Holland and Reed Spenrath, tying the game at 7-7. Tye Wood then singled up the middle to drive in Spenrath with the go-ahead run.

Two innings later, Holland capped a four-hit day with a two-run homer to left off of Dominic Desch, upping the Lobo lead to 10-7.

Wagner took the loss, giving up three runs on three hits in an inning of relief. Fosher struck out three and was charged with five earned runs in a no-decision.

Steinkamp got his first win of the season for New Mexico, going three innings in relief of starter Wil Bannister and giving up two runs on four hits. Josh Barnhouse picked up the save, striking out four and allowing no hits over the final three innings.

Nevada travels over the pass for a Tuesday night non-conference matchup at Sacramento State, set for a 6 p.m. first pitch, before returning to Peccole to host UNLV for a three-game Mountain West series next Friday-Sunday.