April 19, 2016
SAN FRANCISCO - San Jose State had no problem getting men aboard in Tuesday's midweek matchup at USF, but too often could not find ways to bring them home in a 4-3 loss at the newly-renovated Benedetti Diamond.
The Spartans (11-25) had at least one runner reach base in each of its nine trips to the plate, but were hampered by three double plays and left 13 men aboard. USF (13-26) was forced to use seven different hurlers but managed to come up with big pitches when it needed them.
Logan Handzlik made the start and allowed three hits and a pair of runs in his 2.0-inning tune-up. Graham Gomez (L, 1-4) was saddled with the loss by virtue of yielding two runs on six hits in his 2.0 frames on the mound. Zach Tanner and Josh Goldberg were solid in over the final 4.0 innings to keep the Spartans within striking distance. Tanner needed just five pitches to get through his first inning of work and held the Dons hitless in his second inning as well. Goldberg scattered two hits and fanned four in his 2.0 innings.
San Jose State's best opportunity came in the top of the eighth. Trailing 4-2 at the start, Brendt Citta drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on Hunter Tidwell's base hit. Michael Breen moved them up a base with a sacrifice bunt, prompting a USF call to the bullpen. Reliever Frank Waliczek hit Dillan Smith with his first pitch, loading the bases and forcing another Dons pitching change. Joe Carney walked in a run to cut the lead in half but induced a comebacker by Joe Stefanki and got Ozzy Braff to fly out, ending the threat.
After USF jumped ahead with a run in the bottom of the first, Breen tied it up in the top of the second with a base hit through the left side that scored Josh Nashed from second.
The teams again traded lone runs in the bottom of the third and top of the fourth before the Dons slugged out five hits and scored two runs in the bottom of the third to go up 4-2 and take its third and final lead of the game.
Each hitter in the starting lineup collected at least one hit, and the Spartans drew eight walks as a team. Breen's 2-for-3 effort led the 10-hit attack.
San Jose State continues its five-game road trip with a weekend set at Fresno State.