RENO -- Another record for Darrell Rasner. Another disappointing result, however, for the junior pitcher from Carson High.
Rasner pitched seven solid innings and his sixth inning strikeout made him the all-time leader in strikeouts at Nevada. But the bullpen didn't do its job as the Wolf Pack dropped a 7-5 decision in 10 innings to Oregon State on Friday afternoon at Peccole Park.
Rasner (3-2) received the no decision after striking out seven batters, giving him 240 for his career, which moved him past John Patton, who had 239. With Nevada leading 5-2, Rasner left the game in the top of the eighth after walking the first two batters. Craig Norris replaced Rasner and escaped the inning, but ran into trouble in the ninth.
Norris gave up three hits and three runs in the ninth, including the game-tying run. Levi Webber's pinch hit two-run double in the top of the 10th proved to be the game-winning run for the Beavers.
The Wolf Pack (8-9) loaded the bases in the bottom half of the 10th. But Mike Gillies, Nevada's best hitter, grounded out to end the game. The Wolf Pack, who couldn't capitalize on four Oregon State errors, had only six hits in the game and left nine runners on base, including six in scoring position. They left the bases loaded both times in the sixth and 10th innings, respectively.
"I thought we left guys on base with a chance to break the game open," said a frustrated Gary Powers. "We're just not doing a good job right now. The mental part of hitting has been a problem. It's a matter a discipline."
It was the same scenario on Tuesday against Sacramento State. Nevada clinged to a late-inning lead, only to see the Hornets come back for the win. The bullpen couldn't preserve the win and its offense wasn't productive enough.
"We're not early in the season anymore, it's a matter of guys going out there and performing," Powers said. "He (Norris) did his job getting two strikeouts but he's gotta' do a better job of making good pitches in those situations. I think every hit they got were on two-strike counts. I don't care (who your playing). At this level, teams are going to swing with two strikes. Somebody has got to step up and get the job done."
Rasner allowed only two hits and two runs, both unearned. After an error in the fourth by shortstop Matt Maguire, Oregon State led 2-0. Gillies' two-run bloop single in the fifth tied it 2-2. In the seventh, Nevada took the lead, scoring three runs off two Oregon State errors to go up 5-2. But the long inning took its toll on Rasner, who sat there in the chilly dugout feeling his muscles tightening.
"That killed me, I tried to stay loose," Rasner said. "We just need to turn the page and come back tomorrow. We just gotta' get some wins."
Thursday's storm left a ring of snow along the outfield wall at Peccole Park, but the Beavers were unimpressed.
"It was beautiful (the weather), we're usually a little wet," said assistant coach Dan Spencer. "It's always big to win on Fridays and on the road."
Rasner, already the all-time leader in wins at Nevada (24), could be 6-0 this season. He lost the season opener with Pepperdine despite giving up only two hits (Nevada had only three). Rasner also lost a game against Cal State-Northridge even though he struck out eight and allowed only one earned run. The Wolf Pack struck out 14 times in that game.
Nevada plays the second game of its three-game homestand with Oregon State today at 1 p.m. The two teams meet again on Sunday at the same time.
BEAVERS COACHES IMPRESSED WITH RASNER
It's the second time the Oregon State coaches have seen Carson's Darrell Rasner. The Beavers beat him two years ago in Las Vegas when Rasner was a freshman. He went 14-2 that year, but the Beavers are even more impressed now.
"I thought he was outstanding," said assistant coach Dan Spencer. "We saw him when he was a freshman and he was all over the place, a little wild. He's really grown up. He's the best we've seen (this season). We were really glad to see him leave, though (in the eighth inning)."
