A three-run home run by former Western Nevada College star Tyson Jaquez wasn't enough as the University of Nevada baseball team fell 4-3 at Stanford on Tuesday.
The Wolf Pack (0-3) attempted to rally in the the ninth inning but left the tying run on third base and the go ahead run at first base when the final out was recorded.
Trailing 4-3 in the ninth with one down pinch hitter Mike Hale singled and Kevin Rodland followed with a single that put runners on the corners. David Ciarlo then popped up to second base and Jaquez grounded out to third base as the Cardinal held on for the victory.
The Cardinal struck first in the second, sending seven players to the plate and two scored. With one down Joey August singled and Zach Jones followed with a double, moving both runners into scoring position. A wild pitch by Pack starter Mario Rivera scored the first run and with two down Jake Schlander singled home Jones and Stanford led 2-0.
In the fifth the Pack scored three runs on the homer by Jaquez, which was the only hit of the inning. With two down Rodland was hit by a pitch and Ciarlo walked. Jaquez then delivered the big blow, blasting a three-run homer down the left field line to put Nevada on top 3-2.
The Cardinal regained the lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth. Cord Phelps started the inning with a single and designated hitter Brendan Domaracki drew a walk. A wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position. Sean Ratliff singled home the first run and Jason Castro's sacrifice fly put Stanford on top to stay 4-3.
Jason Rodriguez led the Pack with two hits. Phelps tallied a career and game-high four hits for the Cardinal. Ratliff, Brent Millerville and Schandler each had two hits each for Stanford.
Rivera (0-1) took the loss, allowing four runs on seven hits in the game. Four Pack relievers (Jacob Kaup, Bryan Suarez, Brock Stassi and Sammy Miller) combined to toss four innings of shutout baseball. Cardinal starter Max Fearnow (1-0) got the win despite allowing three runs on two hits in the game. Reliever David Stringer earned his second save of the season, pitching four shutout innings.
Nevada continues on to Frisco, Texas to play in the Southwest Diamond Classic being played at Dr. Pepper Ballpark. Thursday the Wolf Pack plays Dallas Baptist at 5 p.m. On Friday, Nevada takes on Alabama at noon and closes out the tournament against Texas-Arlington at 11 a.m. Saturday.