RENO, Nev. (Interstat) — The Nevada Wolf Pack erupted for seven runs in the bottom of the eighth inning Friday night, turning a tight contest into a decisive 11-7 victory over the Pacific Tigers in non-conference baseball action at William Peccole Park.

The game’s pivotal shift came after Pacific had clawed back to tie the game at 7-7 in the top of the eighth. The Wolf Pack’s offense, which had been held in check since the sixth inning, exploded against the Tigers’ bullpen to secure the win and improve to 6-5 on the season. Pacific fell to 6-7.

The contest began in chaotic fashion, with both starting pitchers struggling. Pacific struck first, plating four runs in the opening frame against Nevada starter Andres Castro. The Tigers capitalized on a leadoff walk to Brendan and a two-out double from Grant, which drove in the first run. A costly throwing error by Nevada shortstop Jackson Waller extended the inning, allowing two more unearned runs to score on singles from Evans and Derek.

Nevada answered immediately in the bottom half against Pacific’s Zach Todd. After a walk to Quiban, Junhyuk Kwon launched a two-run homer to deep right field. The Wolf Pack continued to press, loading the bases before Lee Matsuzaki delivered an RBI double and Waller added a sacrifice fly, cutting the deficit to 7-4.

Pacific extended its lead to 7-4 in the second, again aided by a Nevada error. A fielding miscue by Matsuzaki in center field allowed one run to score, and Jake Tandy followed with a two-run double down the left field line. That prompted Nevada to summon reliever Mahiro Tomita from the bullpen with two outs, a move that proved to be the game’s turning point.

Tomita stifled the Tigers’ offense, providing critical stability. Over 5 2/3 innings of relief, he allowed just one earned run on four hits while striking out five. His performance allowed the Wolf Pack to mount their comeback.

Nevada chipped away with single runs in the sixth and eighth innings to tie the game at 7-7, setting the stage for the decisive bottom of the eighth. After a leadoff triple by Harvey and a sacrifice fly from Quiban tied the game, the floodgates opened. An error by Pacific third baseman Grant put the go-ahead runner on base, and Jayce Dobie singled him home to give Nevada its first lead at 8-7. The Wolf Pack then batted around, with Kane drawing a bases-loaded walk and Waller clearing the bases with a two-run double to cap the seven-run outburst.

Waller finished with three RBIs, while Matsuzaki went 3 for 3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Dobie added three hits and two RBIs for Nevada. For Pacific, Tandy drove in two runs.

Carson Revay provided two scoreless innings of relief for Pacific, but the Tigers’ bullpen could not contain the Nevada offense in the eighth. Dominic Desch earned the win with a perfect inning of relief for the Wolf Pack.

The two teams continue their three-game series Saturday at William Peccole Park.