Feb. 16, 2018
San Jose, Calif. --- The San Jose State University baseball team won the first game in a four-game series against the Northern Colorado Bears, 7-4. It is the Spartans' first opening-day win since February 14, 2014 when they beat San Diego State, 6-4.
San Jose State dug itself out of a 4-0 hole in the first inning with a double by Chris Williams (4-for-2, 2 R, 2 RBI) that sent Shane Timmons (2-for-1, 3 R, 1 RBI, BB) home. The following batter, Johnny Mendoza (3-for-2, 1 R, 3 RBI), singled up the middle sending Williams home for San Jose State's second run in the first.
The Spartan bullpen took over from there. The team did not allow a run after the first inning.
"Our bullpen threw really well," said Spartan interim head coach Brad Sanfilippo after a successful debut. "Each guy did his job. We relied on our bullpen, and it was a really good win."
In the third inning, Shane Timmons homered to left centerfield to bring the deficit to just one run, 4-3.
The 19th home run of Timmons career moved him into the fifth spot on the all-time career home runs list. He is now seven away from surpassing John Fagan and becoming the all-time leader.
The Spartans took the lead in the fifth inning with three runs on a double from Chris Williams that sent Aaron Pleschner (0-for-4, R) home. Williams and Timmons then scored on a single to right field by Mendoza. All three runs were unearned due to an error by Northern Colorado second baseman Cole Maltese that allowed Pleschner to reach base.
Mendoza scored an insurance run for the Spartans in the eighth inning on a fielding error by Bears' shortstop Tyler Yamaguchi.
The baseball team is back tomorrow in a double header against the Bears. The first game starts at 12:00 p.m. and the second game begins at 3:30 p.m.
"It was a real team effort," said coach Sanfilippo. "We didn't get the start we were hoping for tonight, but we got some big hits to get us back in the game. It was a good team win."