RENO " Willie Bowman, who starred on Carson High School's baseball team for four years, is trying to win a place on Nevada's baseball team this fall.
Another former Carson star, Logan Parsley, who was on partial scholarship, has left the program.
Bowman, who missed his last year at UNLV with an injury, was granted a medical hardship. Since he graduated last spring and has eligibility remaining, he was able to transfer without sitting out a season.
Nevada coach Gary Powers said Bowman contacted him over the summer.
"He called up and said he had graduated and still had another year of eligibility," Powers said. "He asked if I would give him a chance to play. I told him we'd give him a shot this fall to see what he could do.
"He hasn't shown any signs of the injury (bothering him). He's been out here busting his butt everyday."
Whether Bowman makes the team is another story. Under new NCAA rules, school are allowed only 35 players in the program, and no more than eight can be walk-ons. A walk-on is described as not receiving financial aid for that sport.
Already, Powers has lost four players in the fall, including Parsley. Jacob Kaup, Garrett Patterson and Brandon Trodick won't be around in the spring. Kaup decided to concentrate on academics, Patterson is going to transfer because he didn't win the starting job at either short or second, and Trodick suffered a career-ending injury.
Parsley, who can play infield and outfield, would have helped the Pack because of that versatility.
Powers said the rest of the local contingent is "hanging in there." Barring last-minute cuts, the area will be well represented on this year's team.
Besides Matt Bowman (Dayton) and Tyson Jaquez (Western Nevada College), the Pack has Tony Fagan (Carson, Mesa College), Jacob Anderson (Galena), Aaron Henry (Carson, Lassen, WNC) and Jesse Rasner (Carson City, Lassen) on its current squad. If Willie Bowman makes it, that would be seven local players out of 35.
The Wolf Pack concludes its fall practice season with a three-game World Series from November 10-12 at Peccole Park.