San Jose, Calif. - San Jose State pounded out a combined 18 hits against Nicholls State pitching in a Saturday doubleheader, but was held to one run in each game, falling 6-1 and 4-1 respectively at Municipal Stadium.
Starting pitching was clutch in the day's sweep for Nicholls State. Kory Delange threw a seven inning complete game to start the day and Grant Borne picked up in game two with 7.0 innings of shutout ball.
San Jose State had 15 base hits against the Colonel starting duo which translated into just one run. 20 Spartan base runners were stranded in the two losses.
"We had a lot of trouble executing today," said Spartans' head coach Dave Nakama. "We just didn't play well and it's disappointing."
Jason Kafka took the loss in game one, falling to 1-1 for the season. He gave up five hits and two earned runs in 4.1 innings. The Colonels took control of the game by erasing a 1-0 Spartan lead with a four-run fifth inning. Keith Cormier with his three hits was one of three Colonels with a multi-hit game. Delange earned the win improving to 4-1.
In the second game Nicholls State jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the third inning against Spartan starter David Wayne Russo. They added runs in the seventh and ninth innings mounting a 4-0 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth. San Jose State scored its first run of the game on Sheldon Daquioag's RBI-single in the ninth inning with two outs.
Daquioag continued his hitting terror with four more base knocks on Saturday. He has registered a hit in all nine games he's played in this season and is 10-for-15 (.667) in the last four games.
Russo took the loss falling to 2-3 this season while Borne went to 1-0 with the win.
"We need more guys to step up," Nakama said. "We need more guys to take charge so the team can gain some consistency in the lineup."
San Jose State (5-14) and Nicholls State (11-10) hit the field one more time in the series finale on Sunday. D.J. Slaton (0-3, 2.88) will take the mound for the Spartans while the Colonels send Taylor Byrd (3-1, 2.52). First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 AM.