RENO, Nev. – Nevada Softball played its first game at Christina M. Hixson Softball Park after 31 games on the road. The Pack took advantage of the occasion, defeating Idaho State, 8-0 in walk-off fashion. The Wolf Pack pitching shined, only allowing one hit while striking out seven.
 
Six Wolf Pack hitters tallied a hit, and three others reached base via a walk or hit by pitch. Saige Alfaro and Maya Larsen continued their hot streaks with a pair of hits each and big contributions to the Wolf Pack scoring. Alfaro extended her on-base streak to nine games and scored three times, while Larsen tied her career high with three RBI, leading the team. The Clark sisters each got two hits: Madison Clark with a pair of singles to third, and Bailie Clark showing her opposite-field strength, doubling and tripling to left field.
 
Nevada also saw key contributions on offense from Aaliyah Jenkins and Haley Painter. Jenkins doubled and scored twice while being hit two times. Painter did not register an at-bat as she was hit, walked, and drove in a pair of runs via two sacrifice flies.
 
The Pack scored twice at a time across the five innings. In the first inning, Alfaro and Painter got aboard to start the inning. Alfaro was driven in by a Larsen double to the right center gap, while Painter scored on a sharp B. Clark double down the left field line.
 
In the second inning, Painter got her first sacrifice fly of the game, scoring M. Clark. Jenkins added the second run of the inning, scoring on a wild pitch.
 
After a scoreless third inning, Alfaro scored again after a relay throw was spiked into the ground, allowing Alfaro to advance home on the error. Painter followed with her second sac fly, scoring Jenkins.
 
The Pack's two out rally in the fifth walked off the game, as Larsen singled up the middle to score Jenkins and M. Clark, putting Nevada up eight in the fifth.
 
The pitching staff was stellar, combining for a one-hitter shutout. Ainsley Berlingeri started the game for Nevada, getting the win with 3.0 innings pitched, allowing the lone hit in the first inning. Berlingeri walked three batters, the only other Idaho State hitters to reach base through a hit, walk, or hit-by-pitch. Tess Bumiller pitched the fourth inning for Nevada, striking out three out of the four batters she faced. Hailey McLean finished the game, pitching the fifth inning. McLean struck out two of the batters she faced while getting a flyout from the third. Tuesday marks the second one-hitter of the season for the Nevada staff.
 
The Wolf Pack is back at Hixson this weekend for its first conference series at home this season. The Pack takes on the San Diego State Aztecs, who enter the weekend at the top of the Mountain West standings at 5-1. The many ties of the Nevada coaching staff to the Aztecs, along with championship expectations for both teams, have made the upcoming series one of the most anticipated on the conference schedule. The first pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, then for noon on Saturday.