San Jose, Calif. - D.J. Slaton allowed just one run in seven innings and the San Jose State offense took care of business with 16 hits in a 7-1 Western Athletic Conference victory over Seattle U at Municipal Stadium on Saturday.
Slaton's only blemish was a 2-1 pitch to Cash McGuire (2) in the third that got ripped over the left field wall for a solo home run. The right-hander scattered six hits, struck out four and walked two in seven innings of work on the way to his third win.
"Slaton gave us an opportunity throughout the whole game to get a win," said Spartans' head coach Dave Nakama. "That's what you need from your starting pitcher. He took pressure off the offense and did a good job throwing strikes."
Spartan catcher Sheldon Daquioag wrapped out a season-high four hits and reached base safely after every at bat. Daquioag doubled and scored a run to break a 1-1 tie in the fifth inning on Nick Schulz's two-out double to right-center field.
Matt Carroll finished the day 3-for-5 at the plate with three RBI-singles. He got the Spartans on the board in the first inning with a single into left field that knocked in Andre Mercurio. Carroll extended San Jose State's lead to 5-1 in the sixth with a bases-loaded single that brought home two runs.
Seattle U's Garrett Anderson gave up 10 hits and three earned runs in 5.1 innings and fell to 2-7 with the loss.
Outfielders Andre Mercruio and Michael Gerlach each scored twice and knocked in a run with a combined five hits on the afternoon. Gerlach and Ricky Acosta came around to score in the eighth inning on RBI-hits by Mercruio and Daquioag that made it 7-1.
Kyle Hassna came out of the pen and struck out three while closing out the final two innings and lowered his ERA to 1.90.
The Spartans and Redhawks hit the diamond for a rubber-match in a pivotal WAC series. Lefty Johnny Melero (0-5, 8.21) will start for SJSU. Seattle U also sending a left-hander, Andrew Olson (3-4, 4.70) to the hill. First pitch at Municipal Stadium is now scheduled for 12:00 p.m. PDT