Nevada baseball, softball has banner day

RENO - Nevada moved to within three games of the lead in the Western Athletic Conference after sweeping conference leader Fresno State in a doubleheader Saturday at Peccole Park.

The Pack got a three-run homer from ex-Western Nevada College star Tyson Jaquez and a complete-game 7-hitter from Kyle Howe to post a 4-1 win in the opener. In the nightcap, Nevada scored five runs in its last two at-bats en route to a 7-3 victory.

The two wins moved Nevada to 24-18 overall and 11-8 in conference play. Fresno State dropped to 26-19 and 14-5 respectively. The teams wrap up the four-game series today at 1 with FSU's Justin Miller expected to oppose Nevada's Derek Achepohl.

In the opener, Howe and Justin Wilson were locked into a 1-1 pitcher's duel. That all changed in the eighth when Jake Hower came on in relief.

Hower got the first two outs, but Shaun Kort singled, Jason Rodriguez doubled and Jaquez followed with a three-run homer to right-center field.

Howe retired the side in the ninth to earn his sixth win in seven decisions. He threw 114 pitches, 68 for strikes.

Freshman Brock Stassi, who was 3-0 entering the game, didn't get past the third inning in the nightcap. He allowed three runs and six hits before being yanked with two outs in the third on the short end of a 3-1 score.

Reliever Sammy Miller went the final 6 1/3, allowing just two hits and striking out four hits in picking up his second win without a loss.

Trailing 3-2 entering the seventh, Rodriguez scored a run on an infield out and Mike Hale singled home two runs to give Nevada a 5-3 lead. Dayton's Matt Bowman drove in two runs with a single to end the scoring. Rodriguez went 3-for-4, while Hale, Bowman and Rodriguez added two hits each.

MCPHERSON, VILLESCAS NO-HIT TECH

Jordan McPherson and Richelle Villescas combined to throw a no-hitter, as Nevada blanked Louisiana Tech, 8-0, to complete a series sweep Saturday at Hixson Park. The game was stopped after five innings because of the mercy rule.

The no-hitter is just the second in program history. McPherson had the first one last season against San Jose State.

The Pack, ranked 18th in a national poll, won its seventh straight game and improved to 35-14 overall and a conference-best 13-2.

McPherson worked the first four innings, striking out four and not walking a batter. She faced 13 batters, one over the minimum, which kept it from being a perfect game. Villescas pitched a 1-2-3 fifth to end the game.

Nevada scored seven of its eight runs in the second, as Kelsey Starr and Danielle Patrick each slammed two-run homers.

Vanessa Briones and Noelle Micka collected two hits apiece.

Nevada is 9-0 at home this year and 19-4 since the park opened last year.