Bullpen coming alive in Nevada's recent surge

RENO -- The Nevada bullpen gave away so many runs--and games--earlier this season they could've been disguised as humanitarian aid workers. After a 10-5 win over Hawai'i on Saturday at Peccole Park, the latest in a string of outstanding relief appearances, the Wolf Pack bullpen might not ever give up another run.

In front of an announced crowd of 1,067, Travis Sutton and Bryan Johnson combined to pitch 2 1/3 scoreless innings in relief of J.T. Sherman as the Nevada bullpen didn't allow a run for the third consecutive game. In February and March, Wolf Pack relievers had as much chance for a starter to buy them a beer as they did of not allowing a hit. Not anymore.

"Yeah, it was about a month ago. I think we (the bullpen) decided it was just time to show the starting staff that we can hold up our end of the bargain," said Johnson, who pitched two innings in Saturday's win, striking out three and only giving up one hit. "We blew so many wins for them early in the year. We knew we had to put a stop to it. Now they can stop trying to be the heroes. If our starting pitching doesn't get it done right now, we can get it done. They don't have the pressure of knowing they have to go nine innings anymore."

Sherman improved his record to 7-4 after giving up four earned runs in 6 2/3 innings. In Friday's 3-1 win over the Rainbows, ace Mateo Miramontes went eight innings and Zachary Basch recorded his team-leading eighth save after pitching a scoreless ninth. In Tuesday's 13-2 win over San Francisco, Darrick Cummings, Ryan Harbaugh and Chris Scott each pitched a scoreless inning for starter Brandon Gottier.

"Those guys have the ability to do that," said coach Gary Powers. "Unfortunately, early in the year they had some bad outings. They just had to shake that."

Clearly shaken, and with the bullpen doing what it should've been doing the entire season, the Wolf Pack (26-19 overall, 14-5 Western Athletic Conference) has a firm grasp on second place in the WAC. Also within reach is an NCAA Tournament appearance. Whether coach Gary Powers wants to acknowledge his players thinking about it or not, for something like that to remain a possibility, when it would've been unimaginable two months ago, is amazing.

The bullpen is the leading reason why, but what can't be forgotten is Nevada's bats. So many players are swinging it well now. After Sherman gave up three runs in the first, the Wolf Pack yanked the lead back in the second. Tony Cappuccilli's RBI single, Robert Marcial's grounder that scored Jacob Butler, Brett Hayes' two-run single and then Kevin Kouzmanoff's two-run double off-the wall in center field put the Wolf Pack up 6-3.

Kouzmanoff hit his WAC leading 13th homer in the fourth, a two-run shot, as Nevada led 8-3. Butler added a two-run home run in the seventh. Sherman's shaky start was diverted into a smooth, consistent outing.

"A lot of guys who give up three runs right off the get-go would've struggled the rest of the way," Power said. "He settled down and stabilized things. His (Kouzmanoff's) double off-the-wall created some momentum for us. I thought Jacob Butler's homer in the bottom of the seventh was a big turning point late in the game. That's how you win games, when you get timely, big hits."

Hayes went 3-for-5 and Butler was 3-for-4. Kouzmanoff went 2-for-4 and added four more RBI to give him 49 for the season, two less than Hayes. Eddie Bonine (4-5, 5.43 ERA) is scheduled to go up against Keahi Rawlins (4-3, 3.51 ERA) in today's series finale at 1 p.m.

"These kids really came together as a family," Powers said. "They're pulling for one another and it's been a privilege to watch them grow together."