Feb. 18, 2018
San Jose, Calif.--- The San Jose State baseball team lost the final game of its season-series against Northern Colorado, 6-5. The Spartans are now 2-2 on the season.
Northern Colorado got off to an early start. In the second inning Dean Lawson, (3-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI) doubled to left center with two outs driving in Tyler Yamaguchi from first base. After an infield single by Austin Miller, Lawson scored from third on a double steal attempt giving Northern Colorado a 2-0 lead.
The Spartans took their first lead in the game, 3-2, with a three-run third inning. Shane Timmons (1-for-4, 2 RBI) triggered the rally with a no-out, two-RBI single. San Jose State would load the bases with one out before a sacrifice fly to centerfield by David Campbell (1-for-4, RBI).
Northern Colorado answered immediately in the top of the fourth. Matt Burkart (2-for-4, R, RBI, BB) doubled to centerfield scoring Brett Minnick (1-for-4, R). With two outs, Lawson's RBI single up the middle put the Bears ahead, 4-3.
Andrew Mitchel kept the Spartans close pitching 1.2 innings of shutout ball. He struck out all five batters that he faced.
The Spartans regained the lead, 5-4, in the bottom of the eighth with two unearned runs. Sawyer Pittman, who opened the inning being hit by a pitch, scored with two outs when Yamaguchi could not cleanly field Aaron Pleschner's ground ball to shortstop. Yamaguchi compounded his error by throwing the ball past catcher Alex Kiel allowing Pleschner to advance to second. Kyle Morrison hit the next pitch up the middle for a RBI single scoring Pleschner.
Needing just three outs to take 3-of-4 games in the series, Wesley Clawson (0-1) was on the mound for his second inning of work. With two outs and runners on second and third, Jack Pauley (2-for-5, 2 RBI) hit a two-RBI single to left field that turned out to be the game-winning hit.
The Spartans had the tying run on first base in the bottom of the ninth inning with one out, but Bears' right hander Connor Leedhol got the final two outs striking out Campbell and Pittman looking for the save.
Caden Maher (1-0) who got the final out in the eighth inning was credited with the win for Northern Colorado (2-2).
The Spartans return to action Tuesday night at 5:00 p.m. hosting the Santa Clara Broncos (1-2) at San Jose Municpal Stadium.