San Jose, Calif. - San Jose State trailed 8-1 after three innings and managed only six hits in a 13-3 Western Athletic Conference (WAC) loss to Seattle U on Friday night at Municipal Stadium.
A five-run eighth inning for the Redhawks (16-24, 6-9 WAC), extended their lead to 13-3. After three quick Spartan (13-28, 7-9 WAC) outs in the bottom half, the game ended due to the conference's 10-run rule.
"We just haven't pitched well enough these last few games," said San Jose State head coach Dave Nakama. "I give Seattle U credit. This was important to them, and they came out and beat us in every facet of the game."
Spartan pitching gave up 15 hits to Seattle U and has now given up 15 or more hits in each of the last three games.
The Redhawks jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the first three innings against SJSU starter David Wayne Russo (4-6). Sean Narby started a five-run rally in the second with a solo shot over the left field wall for his fifth homer of the year. Six of the next seven batters recorded a hit in the inning making it 5-0.
Russo allowed only one hit in the third, yet the Redhawks scored three runs on a couple passed balls, a Spartan throwing error and a sacrifice fly making it 8-0.
"A lot of games we've lost this season have included big innings for the other team," Nakama said. "We have to stay away from walks that lead to the big innings."
Russo left the game after six innings, giving up 11 hits and six earned runs while walking two and striking out five.
Ted Hammond (3-4) took the win, pitching five innings, giving up four hits and three earned runs with four walks and a strikeout.
Sheldon Daquioag and Tim Quiery added runs to the board for SJSU, each with RBI-singles. Nick Schulz also collected an RBI with a sacrifice fly in the sixth.
"I think we are battling for our lives tomorrow," Nakama said. "We sink or swim tomorrow. I told the guys it has to be important to them. So we'll see what happens."
San Jose State's loss coupled with UTSA's 13-inning win over Dallas Baptist on Friday night puts the Spartans in eighth place in the WAC standings, half a game ahead of Seattle U. The top eight teams at the end of the regular season advance to the WAC championships in Grand Prairie, Texas May 22-26.