Photo courtesy of Nevada Athletics on Twitter @Nevada_Softball. Nevada softball is 4-16 overall in their season so far.
The Nevada softball team participated in the Libby Matson Tournament in Stockton, California, going 2-3 in an up and down performance throughout the weekend.
On the first day of the tournament, the Wolfpack took on Idaho State and Seton Hall, losing in both games. In their first game of the day, Nevada was locked into a pitcher’s duel with Idaho State, as the game stayed 0-0 in regulation. However, when the game went into extra innings, the Bengals scored four unanswered runs to seal the game 4-0.
Later that day, Nevada played the exact opposite type of game against Seton Hall. Both teams capitalized on the errors the other was making while also putting up their own production, keeping the game close through the first two innings. This back and forth would end in the third, as Seton Hall put up seven runs from the third inning to the fifth before the Pack was able to answer back. Despite their best efforts, Nevada was not able to fight out of the deficit, losing 12-7.
The second day of the tournament saw the Pack in another doubleheader, taking on Seton Hall for a second time and Pacific University, winning both games. In their rematch versus Seton Hall, Nevada blanked the Pirates until the seventh inning while earning three runs off of a walk, a wild pitch, and a sac fly. In a game where Pitcher Ellie Garcia pitched a complete game with only four hits, the Wolfpack beat Seton Hall 3-1.
Nevada played Pacific University in their second game of the day. The Tigers got out to an early lead thanks to a double from Centerfielder Carly Lucchetti. However, Nevada would answer right back with nine unanswered runs from the fourth inning to the seventh while holding Pacific to just one in the same span. The Pack would end the game with a 9-3 win.
On the third and final day of the tournament, Nevada had a rematch game versus Idaho State. The Wolfpack would be the first to score off of a fielder’s choice RBI. This would be answered by the Bengals with three runs in the first inning and six in the second from singles, doubles, ground outs, walks, errors, and a sac fly out. The Pack would not go down without a fight, however, as the team continued to score during and after the Bengals’ run. Despite their efforts, Nevada was not able to climb out of the hole they were in from the first two innings of the game, losing 7-9.
With this tournament under their belts, the softball team moves to 4-16 in overall record. Their next appearance will be in San Luis Obispo, California, where the team will compete in the Cal Poly Tournament on March 12 and 13.
Derek Raridon can be reached at kelseymiddleton@sagebrush.unr.edu or on Twitter @NevadaSagebrush