RENO, Nev. - The Diamond 'Dogs evened their series at Nevada on Friday evening downing the Wolf Pack, 8-3 at Peccole Park.
With the win along with New Mexico's 13-12 comeback win at home over Air Force, Fresno State (26-28, 14-15 MW) stays alive for a chance to qualify for next week's Mountain West Championship needing a victory on Saturday along with another Lobo victory over the Falcons.
The 'Dogs collected 10 hits as a team in the contest led by three from center fielder Nikoh Mitchel who entered the game with a total of three hits on the season and added two RBIs and scored two runs.
The Bulldogs tallied four doubles getting two-base knocks from Vinny Bologna, Tommy Hopfe, Payton Allen and Mitchell.
Roman Angelo made his first start on the mound since April 23 earning his fourth win of the season tossing five innings while holding Nevada to four hits, three runs, two earned and struck out three.
Tommy Hopfe came on for the final four innings to set a new career high in innings and kept the Wolf Pack hitless while facing only one batter over the minimum.
How It Happened
After a quick first inning, the 'Dogs got the scoring started with a three-run second registering an RBI double from Allen, an RBI single by Travis Welker and a wild pitch while Mitchell was at bat allowed Welker to come home.
The Wolf Pack answered back in the bottom of the frame with two runs of their own on a bases-loaded walk and an RBI groundout.
Two scoreless innings followed before the 'Dogs got back on the scoreboard in the fifth with a two-out RBI single to left from Luna for a 4-2 lead. Nevada again answered back with a run on a sacrifice fly to cut the 'Dogs lead back down to one.
The 'Dogs broke open the game in the sixth with a four-run frame with Hopfe leading off the scoring coming in on an errant throw by the Wolf Pack third baseman.
Mitchell followed with a two-run RBI double to right-center to put the 'Dogs up 7-3 and Ben Newton laid down a sacrifice bunt down the first base line to drive home Mitchell for a five-run lead.
It was all Hopfe from there as the only two baserunners he allowed reached base on errors by the 'Dogs, but was able to work around those miscues to maintain the lead.
Up next
The 'Dogs and Wolf Pack close out the series on Saturday at 1 p.m.