March 23, 2014
Albuquerque, N.M. --- San Jose State struggled on offense and was unable to come back from an early deficit in a 9-4 loss to New Mexico in Mountain West action at Lobo field on Sunday.
Kalei Contrades (2-1) had allowed 15 hits in 24.1 innings coming into the contest, but the Lobos belted eight hits and scored five runs in the first three innings against the right-hander.
Chase Harris' third home run of the season was a two-run shot off Contrades to give the Lobos a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Harris collected another RBI in the second with a sacrifice fly which put New Mexico up 4-0.
Harris went 3-for-5 in the game and finished the series hitting .583 with seven RBI and four runs. Danny Collier, Alex Real and Andre Vigil also added multiple hits for the Lobos on Sunday.
The Lobos tacked on three more runs in the seventh and another in the eighth to make it 9-0. The three-spot in the seventh was aided by a throwing error by shortstop Alec de Watteville on a one-out double play ball.
New Mexico starter Josh Walker (3-1) pitched 8.0 innings in his third win. He induced nine ground ball outs through the first four innings. Andre Mercurio registered the first hit of the day for SJSU in the fifth inning with a single to left.
San Jose State did get to Walker in the ninth inning with three consecutive singles to start the frame. Walker was lifted after Michael Breen knocked in a run with his first collegiate base hit in a pinch-hit appearance.
Jacob Valdez, Kyle Gallegos and Matt Lopez also collected RBI in the ninth as part of a four-run rally. However it was too little, too late to overcome the Lobos' nine-run lead.
"We need to play better defense," said San Jose State head coach Dave Nakama. "Errors hurt us this weekend and we could have limited the damage if we make better plays."
San Jose State made eight errors in the series including five in the series opening 10-1 loss Friday night.
SERIES WRAP
The Spartans have now gone 1-2 in all four MW series in 2014. 38 hits in the series is a season-high for the team in a three-game set. As a team the Spartans hit .336.
Matt Lopez led SJSU hitters going 6-for-11 with three RBI and a run. Lopez, on a five-game hit streak, has had multiple base knocks in the last four games.
The Spartans were hampered by injuries throughout the entire series. "A lot of our guys are banged up right now," Nakama said. "It hurts, but I think it has allowed other guys to step in and get a shot at it."
Jack Veasey stepped into the lineup for his first start at first base Saturday and went 2-for-5 with two runs as part of an order which produced a season-high 16 hits. He also singled in a pinch-hit at bat on Sunday and came around to score.
San Jose State continues its seven-game road trip next week with four games at Washington State (3/27-30). Then, MW play resumes at Municipal Stadium with a three-game set against Nevada (4/4-6).