Feb. 22, 2014
San Jose, Calif. --- The clutch factor that San Jose State had been missing the last two games was found on Saturday in a 7-5 victory over UC Santa Barbara at Municipal Stadium. Alec de Watteville and Kyle Gallegos each delivered big hits with bases loaded to help the Spartans snap a five-game losing streak.
"We got some timely hits, and de Watteville's hit was huge," said SJSU head coach Dave Nakama. "We had been missing those hits the past few games and we needed them today."
Three of the first four batters walked to start off the Spartans' eighth inning. Then the freshman de Watteville, with bases loaded and two out in a 5-5 game, lined a 2-run single to center field. The San Jose State dugout erupted for what turned out to be the game-winning hit.
"It was exciting," de Watteville said. "We have great chemistry on this team and it was great to be that guy today. We've been in these dogfights the last few games and giving our team the lead right there felt great."
The big hit came one inning after Gallegos ripped a 2-run double with bases loaded to break a 3-3 tie. A Sheldon Daquioag single and walks to Matt Lopez and Tyler Olivet loaded the bases for Gallegos. Gauchos pitching issued five walks to Spartans hitters during the seventh and eighth innings.
UC Santa Barbara (2-1) pounded out 16 hits in the game. San Jose State (2-5) starter Jonathan Hernandez and reliever Myles Richard combined to scatter 15 hits and five runs in 7.2 innings. James Glawe (1-0) came out of the San Jose State bullpen with two outs in the seventh, and finished the game to earn a win.
Greg Mahle (1-1) faced eight batters in 1.1 innings and took the loss for the Gauchos.
De Watteville was in the mix early on as well. He knocked in the first two of his four RBI with a groundout in the third and a single in the fourth. San José State scored a run in the third, fourth and fifth innings.
"We were tested today in anther close game," Nakama said. "We still have to cut down on the bad plays and leadoff walks. I really like our chances for tomorrow if we can put everything together."
Saturday's win snapped San Jose State's seven-game losing streak to UC Santa Barbara dating back to 2012. The two teams meet for the rubber match on Sunday at Municipal Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.