RENO, Nev. – Dylan Pearce struck out eight in a career-long six innings but an errant throw on a Nevada sacrifice bunt in the 12th inning sent the Wolf Pack to an 8-7 win Monday night at Peccole Park.
The Wolf Pack put the first two runners on base in the 12th, and scored the game-winning run when Nick Seamons attempted a sacrifice bunt. Pearce attempted the get the lead runner, Daniel Perry, at third, but the throw was errant, allowing him to come home.
Pearce was masterful through his six innings of work, striking out a career-high eight. But he was saddled with the loss to drop to 1-1 this season.
Joe Casey opened the game’s scoring with a two-run home run in the first inning – it marked his second home run of the season. Nevada added one in the first and four in the second to go ahead 5-2 after two.
The Beavers chipped their way back with a two-run third on a run-scoring double by George Mendazona and an RBI single by Jake Dukart. Nevada made it 6-4 in the fourth, then 7-5 after five. Casey had doubled off the fence in right to make it 6-5 in the top half of the fourth.
That set the stage for the Beavers to even the game in the sixth. Adley Rutschman doubled to left to drive in a run and was able to score from third when Ryan Ober singled past the third baseman.
McMahan paced the Oregon State offense with three hits, while Casey, Harvey and Rutschman all had two.
Neither starter was effective, and both lasted only three innings. Christian Chamberlain started for the Beavers and allowed eight hits and six runs. His counterpart, Shane Gustafson, gave up seven hits and four runs. Both did not figure in the decision thanks to the Beavers’ two-run sixth to even the game at seven.
Nathan Burns came on in relief of Chamberlain in the fourth and scattered two hits and a run with four strikeouts in two innings before giving way to Pearce.
Grant Ford earned the win for Nevada to improve to 3-1. He held the Beavers hitless over two scoreless innings.
Up next, Oregon State concludes its non-conference trip to Nevada with a 12 p.m. PT start Tuesday at Peccole Park.
– Via Oregon State Athletics Communication