The Nevada Bighorns summer college baseball team couldn't overcome huge early deficits as its rally fell short in an 11-8 loss to the San Francisco Seals on Friday at John L. Harvey Field.
The Seals struck for seven runs in the first inning and built a 10-1 lead before holding on. Three of the Seals seven runs in the first were unearned as they came after the bases were cleared on a dropped flyball.
The Bighorns cut the deficit to 7-1 in the third when Shane Kockenmeister walked, advanced to third on Royal Good's single and scored on a groundout.
Blake Nahlem came on to pitch in the fourth for the Bighorns with the bases loaded and no outs. Nahlem allowed a two-run double, but then settled down. A run scored on a groundout that made it 10-1. With runners at first and third and one out, Nahlem then picked off the runner at first and struck out the next batter to end the inning. Nahlem ended up being charged with one run in four innings as he allowed a solo home run that made it 11-4.
The Bighorns cut the deficit to 10-4 in the bottom of the fourth as Jeff Young led off with a home run. Sam Feiner capped the rally with a two-run double.
Tyler Green, who pitched for San Jose State, came on to pitch in the ninth for the Seals, but wasn't sharp as he was touched for four runs.
Tyson Jaquez led off with a single and Eric Maupin and Young walked to load the bases. Ryan Lane then hit a flyball that was dropped, allowing two runs to score. Lane was credited with an RBI sacrifice fly. The Bighorns scored two more runs on groundouts for the final margin.
Feiner had three hits, including a double, Ice had three hits, Young added a double to give him two hits, Maupin had two hits and Lane and Matt Winter each added a hit.
Tyler May pitched a scoreless eighth and Robert Lane retired the side in order, striking out two, in the ninth for the Bighorns.
The two teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday as the Special Olympics will be honored. The festivities begin at 9:30 a.m. as the Seals and Bighorns will participate in an informal softball game with the Special Olympians at John L. Harvey Field.
The doubleheader will begin at 11 a.m. All proceeds, including donations at the gate and concession sales, will go to the Special Olympics.