Tucson, Ariz. - Trying to avoid a three-game sweep, San Jose State carried a no-hitter and a three-run lead into the seventh inning against #10-Arizona, but nine runs given up in the final two frames put the Spartans away by a score of 9-4.
San Jose State starter D.J. Slaton cruised through the first six innings carrying a no-hitter with just one walk and a three-run lead. But things changed in the seventh inning when Riley Moore started off with Arizona's first hit of the game, a base hit through the right side. Three batters later, after two straight walks and an RBI-single, Slaton was pulled with bases loaded and no outs.
Reliever Daniel Chavez took the hill and walked in two consecutive runs tying the game at three. Arizona made it 5-3 with two more runs in the inning, both by way of fielder's choice. Slaton was charged with four earned runs in 6.0 innings, his longest of eight career starts.
Not going away easy, San Jose State made it 5-4 when Tim Quiery drove in his third RBI of the game in the eighth inning. But the defending national champions answered with four more runs in the bottom of the eighth making it 9-4.
Quiery had a hand in three of the four scoring innings for the Spartans. The designated hitter went 8-for-11 with three runs and four RBI for the series against Arizona. San Jose State's Andre Mercurio also had a multi-hit day and scored three times. Ricky Acosta singled in a run in the fourth inning for his fifth RBI of the season.
The Spartans collected all four runs against Arizona starter Stephen Manthei who went 7.2 innings scattering six hits to earn the win. Mathew Troupe earned his third save of the season.
After five in a row on the road, San Jose State returns home for a Tuesday night game against San Francisco on February 26. First pitch is schedule for 6 p.m. at San Jose Municipal Stadium.