After losing to San Jose State 6-0 in the opening game of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Tournament the Nevada Wolf Pack baseball team found themselves in a tight elimination game with Louisiana Tech on Thursday morning in Mesa, Arizona.On a day when the Silver and Blue needed to be on the top of their game Nevada starter Tom Jameson was in total control on the hill against a team he beat six days earlier to earn his fifth win of the season.  In that outing Jameson struck out six, tying his career high.  He was even better with the stakes higher.

Jameson went 7 2/3 innings before allowing a Bulldog to reach base, retiring 23 consecutive batters.  Unfortunately for Jameson the hit he allowed was a solo home run to Louisiana Tech catcher Clint Ewing that made it a 2-1 game in the eighth inning.

“He was just dialing it in with dominant stuff and his pitch count was low and I don’t think he could have pitched any better than he pitched today,” said Nevada Head Coach Gary Powers.

The Wolf Pack got on the board first in the top of the fourth when Nick Melino homered to left center on a 2-0 count.  With runs at a premium it was important for the Pack to get on the board early and Melino was just warming up.

Nevada took a 2-0 lead in the top of the eighth when Joe Kohan led off with a single and advanced to third on a Shaun Kort infield single.  Kohan scored on a wild pitch and Nevada looked like they were in cruise control until Ewing’s home run tightened things up.

Nevada extended their 3-1 lead in the ninth when Jameson Rowe pinch ran for Brock Stassi, who reached on a walk.  Rowe stole second and came around to score when Nick Melino singled to centerfield.

Jameson came out to finish what he started but he was replaced by closer Tyler Graham after walking the leadoff batter in the ninth.  It was Jameson’s first base on balls on the day as he finished with four strikeouts while allowing only one hit and one earned run.

“I was mad at myself for letting him starting the inning, but it worked out for us and that is all that matters,” said Powers on pulling Jameson in the ninth.

Graham found himself in a jam after a single to right field put runners at first and second with nobody out.  Graham got out of the jam when he got a fly out to right field for the final out as Nevada lived to play another day.

Coach Powers opened the postgame news conference by saying, “My heart is still racing,” and the statement summed up the final two innings perfectly in a game that saw three of the four runs come in the final two frames.

As of press time Nevada’s next opponent remains unknown.  The Pack could face San Jose State if they lose to Fresno State later on tonight.  If Fresno is upset Nevada will face the loser of the Hawaii-New Mexico State game.  With the win Nevada improved to 35-21-1 on the year.