Reed alum leads Wolf Pack to second victory over top-10 program in three years
Nevada took a trip across the country this weekend to play one of the best teams in the nation.
The Wolf Pack (15-31, 9-14) was competitive with No. 6 Clemson (36-12, 16-8 ACC) in the first two contests, dropping game on one Saturday, 5-2, and taking game two on Sunday, 7-5. The Tigers cruised in game three Monday afternoon, 9-4.
With just two weeks left in the regular season, Nevada is one game behind Air Force for the fourth and final spot in the Mountain West Tournament. San Jose State (15-29-1, 8-16-1) and UNLV (17-32, 7-16) aren’t far back either.
Nevada plays its final series of the season at Peccole Park this weekend against the Rebels. The first game starts at 6 p.m. on Friday night. Nevada then ends the regular season the following weekend at first-place New Mexico.
Nevada 7, Clemson 5
Reed’s Mark Nowaczewski pitched Nevada past Clemson on Sunday evening, ending the Tigers’ 19-game home non-conference winning streak.
It was the Wolf Pack’s first win over a top-10 opponent since an 8-4 victory against Texas Tech in February 2015.
Nowaczewski went 7.1 innings (his fourth straight start pitching into the eighth inning or later) and allowed five runs on nine hits with three strikeouts and a walk. He left with runners on first and second and one out in the eighth after a ground ball through the right side scored two and brought the Tigers within 7-5.
Evan McMahon came on for his 91st career appearance (second most in school history) and worked around three walks for the five-out save.
Right fielder Mike Echavia was 4-for-5 with his team-leading sixth home run – a solo shot in the top of the second.
Clemson 5, Nevada 2
Senior shortstop Justin Bridgeman went his first 579 career at bats without a home run. He was just waiting for a big stage.
In the first game of the series on Saturday afternoon on the road against the national powerhouse, Bridgeman led off with a solo bomb. The Tigers showed their stripes the rest of the way, however, scoring four unanswered runs in a 5-2 victory.
Starter Trevor Charpie went 6.2 innings and allowed five runs (all earned) on seven hits, four strikeouts and a pair of walks.
Bridgeman finished 3-for-4 with the home run, a double, two RBIs and a run scored.
The Tigers took control in the bottom of the fourth when the broke a 1-1 tie, scoring three runs on three hits.
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