The Nevada Wolf Pack came into the second game against UC-Irvine with some momentum after taking Friday’s game one from the Top 25 ranked Anteaters.  That proved large as the Pack pulled another upset on Saturday, winning 6-4 at Peccole Park.

The Silver and Blue used the momentum to their advantage as they got on the board first against the #13 Anteaters.  Shortstop Kevin Rodland hit a leadoff triple over the head of the center fielder and scored on a Brian Barnett fielders’ choice to put the Pack up 1-0 after one.

Nevada starter Jeremy Cole, who pitched eight solid innings for the Pack, did see Irvine score in the second. With the bases loaded and one out, the Anteaters plated the tying run when Jonathan Hurst hit a sacrifice fly to center that scored Ronnie Shaeffer from third.

But Nevada would strike back with a huge second inning that started with four consecutive base hits for the Pack.  A leadoff triple by Brock Stassi was followed by another triple down the right field line by Ronnie Mitchell, which scored Stassi. The Silver and Blue continued their big inning when Nick Leid followed both triples with a double that he probably could have turned into a triple since the right fielder dove for the drive and missed.

Leid was terrific in another Pack win

Nevertheless, Leid would come around to score on a single by Pack second baseman Joe Kohan.  Nevada pushed the lead to 5-1 in the second when Kohan scored on a single by Wolf Pack slugger Shaun Kort who popped a shot through the right side of the infield.

In the third inning, Rodland, who is easily one of the best defensive players in the WAC, continued his great defensive work at shortstop when he had a hand all three outs, recording a put-out and two assists.

The Pack extended their lead in the fourth with two outs when Rodland hit a triple and scored on a Westely Moss triple to put Nevada up 6-1.

Irvine would counter in the next half inning with an attack of their own. The Anteaters scored three runs in the fifth after stringing together consecutive hits.  The big hit was a RBI double down down the right field line by Irvine first baseman Jeff Cusick that made it 6-4 Nevada.

Cole settled down and took control from there.  He finished the game after eight innings with two strikeouts, giving up 8 hits and 4 earned runs to get the win. Pack closer Tyler Graham entered the game in the 9th, and despite giving up a two-out walk, he finished the victory strong by striking out Brian Hernandez on three straight pitches to end the game.

With the victory Nevada moves to 12-10 on the season.  The series finale set for Sunday at 12 p.m. at Peccole Park.  Nevada will start Brock Stassi (3-2, 2.64 ERA) against Eric Pettis (3-0, 3.16 ERA).