April 30, 2014
Moraga, Calif. -- San Jose State used an eighth-inning rally to extend the lead and secure a 6-3 victory over Saint Mary's College in nonconference action at Louis Guisto Field on Wednesday afternoon.
In the eighth, SJSU (14-32) scored three runs on four hits, highlighted by back-to-back doubles by Matt Carroll and Brett Bautista. The Spartans also took advantage of a Saint Mary's (14-30) throwing error on Mike Simonini's bunt to the first baseman that allowed Bautista to score from second. Sheldon Daquioag's leadoff single, his second of the game, got the rally going and Alec de Watteville also registered a hit in the frame.
"We pitched much better today," said Spartans' head coach Dave Nakama. "We kept it close, and our guys gave us a chance to win."
Starter Jace Puckett allowed a first-inning home run to Anthony Gonsolin, but settled in nicely allowing just three hits over his next 3 2/3 innings. James Glawe (3-1) allowed one earned run over three innings and was credited with the win. Jackson Berumen came in for the final out of the eighth inning, and notched his second save by inducing a 4-6-3 double play to end the game.
Gaels pitching issued leadoff walks in the fourth and fifth innings which both came around to score. Jacob Valdez evened the score 1-1 in the fourth on a double-play grounder, and Bautista gave SJSU a 2-1 lead in the fifth on Andre Mercurio's double to right.
Saint Mary's tied the game 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth on DonAndre Clark's RBI-single. But San Jose State took the lead back for good in the seventh when Simonini singled and scored on a wild pitch.
"I told these guys we might only get once chance, and we have to make the most of it," Nakama said. "And that's what we did."
San Jose State concludes the home portion of the 2014 season this weekend with a three-game Mountain West series against Fresno State beginning Friday night at 6:00 p.m. Sunday will be senior day, and there will be a fan appreciation luau at Blethen Field following the game.