April 29, 2014
San Jose, Calif. --- San Jose State had trouble pitching out of innings, and committed three errors in a 7-3 loss to Santa Clara in nonconference play Tuesday night at Municipal Stadium.
The Broncos (20-24) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning on Spartans (13-32) starter Johnny Melero (2-6). Both runs came in on Max Khuns' 2-run double with two outs.
San Jose State surrendered three two-out runs in the game.
"We just didn't pitch well," said Spartans' head coach Dave Nakama. "It's too bad because you always want to beat the guys from across town."
San Jose State made it 2-1 in the third when Tyler Olivet walked, and scored two batters later due to a Broncos' throwing error.
But SJSU made errors of its own accounting for three unearned Santa Clara runs. Jacob Valdez misplayed a ball at third base with two runners on in the fourth. One run came in when then next batter Zach Looney hit a bunt single to the first-base side, and Kyle Cortopassi brought in the other with a single to left which made it 4-1.
Matt Carroll made it 4-3 when he hit a liner over the left field wall for his fifth homer of the year. Matt Lopez, who walked, scored on the play.
Three Santa Clara runs in the top of the seventh, aided by a Sheldon Daquioag error in right, increased the lead to 7-3. Brett Bautista's eighth-inning RBI-single wouldn't be enough to bring SJSU back into the game.
The Spartans managed seven hits to the Broncos' 12. Nick Medeiros (2-0) pitched 3 2/3 innings to earn thw win in a scheduled short start. Reece Karalus notched his ninth save.
"We just haven't been a very good hitting team," Nakama said. When you aren't, base runners become too important to leave out there."
San Jose State plays Saint Mary's College tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 p.m. at Louis Guisto Field before returning home this weekend to face Fresno State in the home finale three-game series.