La. Tech eliminates Nevada softball

La. Tech eliminates Nevada softball

Appeal Staff Report

HONOLULU - The Nevada softball team won the Western Athletic Conference regular-season championship and swept Louisiana Tech late in the year.

The Bulldogs turned the tables on Nevada in the WAC Tournament championship game, grabbing a 2-1 decision over the Wolf Pack to win the school's first-ever WAC softball title.

Earlier in the tournament, Tech knocked off Nevada 4-3. Nevada earned its way into the championship game with a 2-1 come-from-behind win over Hawaii late Friday night.

Danielle Patrick and ex-Douglas star Brittany Puzey were named to the all-tournament team.

Nevada finished the season 42-16, and will find out tonight at 7 where they will be headed for the NCAA Championships. Members of the team will be watching the selection show at Bully's on Robb Drive in Reno, and the public is invited.

Nevada collected 10 hits off Tech's Krissi Oliver, but had trouble coming up with a clutch hit as nine stranded baserunners would suggest.

Tech led 1-0 entering the sixth, but Nevada tied the game on a sacrifice fly by Michelle Beach that scored pinch-runner Sarah Hunt.

Oliver hit a solo homer in the seventh, snapping the 1-1tie.

Nevada had a good opportunity to score in the fifth, but the Pack's Kristin Stith was thrown out by the Tech right fielder.

Jordan McPherson was the tough-luck loser, allowing six hits and one earned run. She struck out three and walked one.

NEVADA, SAC STATE SPLIT

The Nevada baseball team scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to knock off Sacramento State 6-5 in the first game of their Western Athletic Conference doubleheader Saturday at Peccole Park.

The Hornets rebounded with a 13-4 victory in the nightcap, dropping Nevada to 30-20 overall and 17-10 in conference play. The teams conclude their four-game series today at 1 p.m.

Sac State grabbed a 5-4 lead with a single run in the top of the eighth on Tim Wheeler's sacrifice fly.

Mike Hale led off the ninth with a double and advanced to third on Nick Leid's groundball to third. Tyson Jaquez walked on four pitches and was replaced by Trevor O' Sullivan. Kevin Rodland was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Jason Sadoian tied the game at 5 with a single and Dayton's Matt Bowman followed with another single to score O'Sullivan with the winning run.

Jaquez led Nevada with two solo homers, while Shaun Kort and Jason Rodriguez added two hits apiece.

Kyle Howe went the distance, throwing 114 pitches to improve to 8-1.

In the nightcap, the Hornets bolted to a 10-0 lead through six innings before Nevada got on the board with three in the seventh.

Five Nevada pitchers were pounded for 14 hits. Starter Brock Stassi, who allowed six runs and seven hits in 41Ú3 innings, dropped to 3-1.

Travis Simas went 2-for-3 and drove in three runs with a homer and single. All told, Nevada managed just seven hits.

off three Sac State pitchers.