Feb. 26, 2016
SAN JOSE, Calif. - San Jose State's baseball team dug itself an early hole that it could never recover from in a 13-4 series-opening loss to LMU Friday night at Municipal Stadium.
The Spartans (2-4) yielded eight runs in the top of the third inning to the visiting Lions (2-3), who finished with 14 hits on the night.
San Jose State answered with four runs in the home half of the fourth, but that's all it would get. LMU went on to add a run in the eighth and four more in the ninth.
"They scored six runs with two outs and nobody on [in the third inning]. If we get out of there and just give up two, then we score our four the next inning, you never know," said head coach Dave Nakama. "But we have to do a better job. We didn't play well. We have to hit with guys on base more often. That's the difference."
Josh Nashed (0-1) started on the mound and took the loss for the Spartans. His final line of eight runs allowed on eight hits was mainly due to the big third inning. The sophomore allowed only three baserunners (two hits, one walk) in his other 5.0 innings of work and retired nine consecutive Lions at one point.
"He's very capable. Any good pitcher will keep you in the game. Besides that inning, he keeps us in the game," Nakama said.
At the plate, Brett Bautista (2-4, run, triple, double, two RBIs) had a big night for the Spartans. Shane Timmons (2-4, run, RBI), Dillan Smith (1-3, run, walk), Joe Stefanki (1-3, run), Tyler Olivet (1-1) and David Campbell (1-3) rounded out the eight-hit output against three LMU pitchers.
Game two of the series gets underway from Municipal Stadium Saturday at 2:00 p.m. No radio or web stream will be available.