RENO, Nev. (Interstat) — The Nevada Wolf Pack erupted for nine runs in a chaotic sixth inning to overcome an early five-run deficit and defeat the San Francisco Dons 14-9 in a non-conference baseball game Tuesday at William Peccole Park.

The game turned on a pivotal mid-game relief appearance by Nevada’s Ryan Oakes, who entered with one out in the third inning and stifled the Dons’ offense. Oakes pitched 3 2/3 dominant innings, allowing just two hits and striking out nine while walking none. His performance halted San Francisco’s momentum and provided the bridge for Nevada’s explosive comeback.

San Francisco (12-11) built a 9-1 lead through the top of the third inning, capitalizing on early opportunities. The Dons scored single runs in the first and second innings before breaking out for four in the third, keyed by RBI singles from Dominic Bellisimo and Ryan Lewis. Nevada starter Jayce Dobie was chased after 2 1/3 innings, giving way to Oakes.

The Wolf Pack (13-8) began chipping away in their half of the third, scoring three runs on a two-run single by Dobie and a sacrifice fly from Jacob Doyle. They added another in the fourth on an RBI single from Kade Quiban to cut the deficit to 9-5.

The contest was utterly transformed in the bottom of the sixth. Trailing 9-5, Nevada sent 14 batters to the plate against four San Francisco pitchers. The inning featured three walks, a hit batter, a wild pitch, and four crucial hits. Jackson Waller scored on a double by Cole Snakenborg. After a hit-by-pitch and a walk loaded the bases, Dobie drew a walk to force in a run, and Doyle followed with another bases-loaded walk to make it 9-8.

Jake Harvey then delivered the decisive blow, a three-run double to right-center field that gave Nevada its first lead at 11-9. Harvey later scored on a wild pitch. After a pitching change, Mikey Mikey drove in Harvey with a single, and Waller capped the offensive barrage with a two-run home run to deep left field, stretching the lead to 14-9.

San Francisco attempted to rally in the seventh against reliever Jackson Pollock. Brendan Burke launched a three-run homer to left, his first of the season, scoring Matt Esquivel and pinch-runner Chase Kallinger to pull the Dons within 14-12. The Dons added two unearned runs in the eighth on RBI doubles from Esquivel and Kallinger, but could draw no closer.

Nevada reliever Andres Castro pitched a scoreless ninth to secure the win. Harvey finished 2 for 5 with four RBIs for the Wolf Pack, while Waller drove in two with his homer. Dobie had three RBIs. For San Francisco, Burke’s three RBIs led the way, and Esquivel scored three runs.

Paul Wheeler and Alan Gonzalez provided scoreless relief outings for the Dons, but the bullpen collectively struggled in the fateful sixth. Nevada outhit San Francisco 13-11 but grounded into two double plays.

The victory improved Nevada to 13-8, while San Francisco fell to 12-11. The Wolf Pack’s comeback defied the Interstat game simulator, which had projected an 8-5 Nevada win, though the Wolf Pack’s ELO probability to win was 64.9%.

Nevanda travels to face Washington State for a three-game series starting Friday. San Francisco returns home to host Seattle in a three-game set beginning the same day.