March 15, 2016
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Despite picking up at least one hit in six of its trips to the plate, San Jose State couldn't string enough of them together in a 6-3 loss to USF Tuesday night at Municipal Stadium.
The Spartans (6-10) finished with eight total hits on the night, but couldn't take advantage of a pair of walks, a hit batter and two USF errors. The Dons (4-14) started their first win streak of the season after topping No. 4 Oregon State on Sunday.
San Jose State, trailing 3-0 at the time, scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth but squandered a chance to tie and possibly take the lead. With the bases loaded and one out, David Campbell (2-5, run) scored on a wild pitch, and after Dillan Smith (1-3, hit by pitch, RBI) was hit by a pitch to reload the bases, a USF error turned a potential double play into another Spartan run. Corey Olivet (0-4) had a chance to make it hurt the Dons, but USF starter Benji Post induced a double play ball.
Campbell and Ozzy Braff (2-4, double) had two-hit nights, and four others picked up a hit apiece.
Graham Gomez (1-1) made his first start as a Spartan and was saddled with the loss. The junior left-hander worked the first 3.0 innings one run despite giving up just one hit, mainly due to a pair of walks issued in the second inning.
Hilario Tovar got the next two frames out of the bullpen and allowed a pair of runs, including a solo shot by Ross Puskarich, on four hits. The sophomore righty showed flashes of quality stuff, though, as he struck out five Dons in 2.0 innings. As a team, San Jose State finished with 13 punchouts on the night.
Zach Wallace, Josh Goldberg and Matt Brown combined to finish off the final 4.0 innings. Brown was the only Spartan pitcher to not allow a run, as he struck out all three hitters he faced in the top of ninth.
Next up for San Jose State is a trip to New Mexico for a three-game set against the Lobos this weekend.