March 1, 2014
Reno, Nev. --- San Jose State prevailed for a 7-4 comeback victory in 10 innings against Nevada that evened the Mountain West (MW) series at one on Saturday at Piccole Park.
There wouldn't have been a 10th inning if it weren't for an unusual ninth where SJSU (3-8, 2-3 MW) scored the game-tying run without recording a hit.
Trailing 4-3, the Spartans loaded the bases on an error, a walk and a hit batsman. Jacob Valdez trotted home to tie it up when Matt Lopez was hit by a pitch. Lopez was the second hit batsmen of the inning and the eighth Spartan to get beaned in the game.
Kyle Gallegos gave the Spartans (3-8, 2-3 MW) a 5-4 lead with an RBI-single in the 10th, and Matt Carroll (2) delivered the dagger with a two-run shot two batters later.
"This was a good win, but it was tough," said San Jose State head coach Dave Nakama. "We can't be satisfied and we need to go out there tomorrow and put it all together for a win."
Carroll, who entered the series hitting .182, is 5-for-9 with the home run, four RBI and two runs in the two games against the Wolf Pack (4-3, 1-4 MW).
"Hopefully this will be a spark for us," Carroll said. "We have a good chance now to go out and win a conference series on the road tomorrow."
Kalei Contrades (2-0) earned the win allowing just one hit in 3.1 innings out of the Spartan pen. The loss goes to Austin Dick (0-1) who pitched 1/3 of an inning and allowed hits to Alec de Watteville and Gallegos in the 10th.
The Spartans and the Wolf Pack will battle it out for the series tomorrow at 12 p.m.