May 3, 2014
San Jose, Calif. --- San Jose State left 12 men stranded on the bases and managed only four hits in an 8-0 loss to Fresno State in Mountain West play at Municipal Stadium on Saturday.
Bulldogs (25-23, 12-14 MW) starter Jordan Brink (4-2) tossed 7 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and struck out three in the win. His offense backed him up with five runs of support in the first four innings.
The Spartans (15-33, 8-18 MW) fell behind 1-0 in the first when Fresno State strung together three consecutive two-out hits off of Jonathan Hernandez (0-6).
Jordan Luplow's eighth homer of the year was a 2-run shot over the left-field wall in the third inning that extended the lead to 3-0.
SJSU fell behind 5-0 in the fourth when Brody Russell hit a 2-run single to center field. Two plays earlier, Alec de Watteville booted a routine grounder at shortstop with one out and a runner on first.
In the fifth, Joe Prior tripled in a run and then scored on a wild pitch to make it 7-0.
"We just have to play better," said Spartans head coach Dave Nakama. "We have to pitch better, and that error killed us. That's two runs right there. I think if you keep it to a three-run game you have a chance. We didn't do that."
Andre Mercurio, Brett Bautista, de Watteville and Kyle Gallegos each had one hit for SJSU. Gallegos had an interesting day at the plate finishing with a final line of 1-for-1. Brink hit Gallegos three times and all three on the very first pitch. The Spartans' catcher took one off the upper back, one off his head and another in the hip. Gallegos hit a 2-2 pitch to the right side and beat the throw out for a hit in the seventh.
Johnny Melero (2-6, 5.65) will start game three of the series for San Jose State in the team's final home game of 2014. Seven seniors will be honored before the game. Fans are encouraged to arrive at Municipal Stadium early and take in the ceremony which will begin at 12:40.