Wolf Pack gets early jump to top Rainbows

Advertiser Staff

This time, Nevada didn't wait.

The Wolf Pack scored four runs in the first inning, including a lead-off home run by Michael Hass, to beat Hawai'i, 12-7, in Western Athletic Conference baseball yesterday at Peccole Park in Reno, Nev.

The Rainbows (23-26, 10-19 WAC) will try to avert a series sweep at 10 a.m. today, Hawai'i time. The Wolf Pack (28-23, 16-16), winners of four straight, will be looking for their first conference three-game series sweep. This is their first season in the WAC.

On Thursday, Nevada trailed 4-0 before pounding UH, 11-6. This time, the Wolf Pack had a 5-0 lead before the Rainbows got on the board with a three-run third inning.

Hawai'i starter Chad Giannetti (4-5) lasted only three-plus innings, allowing six runs and eight hits. Half of those hits came in the first inning, when the Wolf Pack hit for the cycle. After Hass' lead-off homer, Matt Maguire singled, Mike Gillies doubled and JaRell McIntyre tripled.

Those four did most of the damage. Hass scored three runs, Maguire had three hits, including a solo home run in the seventh, Gillies had two RBIs and McIntyre added three RBIs.

Aaron Pribble didn't fare any better in relief of Giannetti, allowing five runs in one-plus innings. Matt Le Ducq was the most effective, allowing only a run in four innings.

Mateo Miramontes (9-2) allowed five runs and seven hits in seven-plus innings before giving way to George Moran, who allowed two runs in two innings.

Matthew Purtell batted 3-for4 with two RBIs and Patrick Scalabrini was 2-for-4, including a two-run home run in the eighth. Nate Jackson also batted 2-for-4 for UH.