Nevada baseball sweeps New Mexico State

RENO - Nevada used two late-inning rallies to sweep a WAC double-header from New Mexico State Saturday afternoon at Peccole Park.

In the opener,Nevada rallied for four runs in the sixth inning to wipe out a 4-2 deficit and grab an 8-5 win. In the nightcap, the Pack scored sevn times in the eighth to record a 9-5 come-from-behind win.

The sweep gives Nevada a 7-4 conference record and 16-13 overall. The Aggies dropped to 14-15 and 4-3 in conference.

Trailing 4-2 the Pack scored four times in the bottom of the sixth inning to take the lead for good. Second baseman David Ciarlo drove in the first run with a single and shortstop Kevin Rodland's bases clearing double plated the other three runs in the big inning as Nevada held on for the victory.

The teams exchanged solo home runs in the second inning to get the scoring started. Aggie first baseman Chris Auten hit the home run in the top of the inning and Pack designated hitter Terry Walsh hit his in the bottom of the inning. Both teams also scored single runs in the fourth inning and it remained tied at 2-2.

NMSU third baseman Marcus Quade hit a two run homer in the top of the fifth inning to set the stage for Nevada's sixth-inning rally.

Both squads scored runs in the seventh inning after leadoff doubles. Quade doubled and scored on Auten's ground out to second base. Nevada's Jason Rodriguez doubled and scored on Kort's sacrifice fly. In the bottom of the eighth inning the Pack added an insurance run when Rodland doubled to start the inning and scored on left fielder Matt Bowman's single.

Pack starter Kyle Howe, 4-0, won his fourth game of the season allowing four runs on seven hits and struck out five in his six innings on the mound. NMSU starter Heath Goin(3-1) lost his first game of the season despite pitching a complete game after giving up eight runs, seven earned.

In the nightcap, scored seven times on six hits to wrest control of the game from the Aggies, who led 5-3.

Ciarlo walked and moved to third on Rodland's single. Rodland stole second and both runers scored on a single by former WNC star Tyson Jaquez to make it 5-4. Jason Sadoian singled to send Jaquez into third and took second on the throw. Jaquez scored on a balk, tying the game at 5. Bowman snapped the tie with a single, scoring Sadoian for a 6-5 lead. Rodriguez followed with a run-scoring single and then Walsh hit his second homer of the day to make it 9-5.

Mario Rivera came on and set the Aggies down in order to earn the save.

Bowman led Nevada with three hits, while Sadoian, Walsh and Rodriguez added two each.

Chris Garcia picked up his first win in four decisions, pitching 2 2/3 innings of hitless relief.