Feb. 27, 2018
San Jose, Calif.--- The San Jose State baseball team defeated Cal Poly 7-4 Tuesday night at Municipal Stadium. An offensive surge in the third inning gave the Spartans a lead that they would not relinquish for the rest of the night.
In the Spartans third, Kellen Strahm (1-for-5, 2R), Kyle Morrison (1-for-4, 2R), and Brett Bautista (2-for-4, R, RBI) loaded the bases with no outs. Shane Timmons (1-for-3, R, 2RBI) stepped up to the plate and singled to left center and drove Strahm home for a 3-2 lead. David Campbell (1-for-3, RBI, BB) was walked with one out which allowed Morrison to score. Johnny Mendoza (0-for-1, 2 RBI) hit a sacrifice fly to right field which sent Bautista home. Sawyer Pittman (2-for-4, RBI) singled up the middle with two outs which drove home Timmons for a 6-2 lead over the Mustangs.
In the Spartans fourth with one out, Timmons hit a sacrifice fly to center field that allowed Morrison to score his seventh run of the season. This gave the Spartans a 7-2 lead heading into the back half of the game.
"They are a very formidable team who is deep on the mound and has a great coach in Larry Lee," said interim head coach Brad Sanfilippo. "I am really pleased with our effort. Our situational hitting was very good tonight, and gave us a good cushion."
In the Mustangs sixth, Alex McKenna (2-for-4, R, RBI, BB) tripled to center field and drove home Dylan Doherty (2-for-4, R) to bring Cal Poly within four runs. In the eighth, Darren Nelson (1-for-2, RBI) doubled to right field and sent home Myles Emmerson (1-for-1, R), but it wasn't enough to overcome the San José State lead.
Cal Poly was 2-19 with runners in scoring position.
The Spartan bullpen once again helped preserve a win for the team. Andrew Mitchel (1-0) entered the game in the third inning and pitched for 4.2 innings. The junior transfer from Grossmont College logged five strikeouts along with his first career win at San Jose State.
"Andrew Mitchel was phenomenal tonight. He put the team on his back. The offense helped give him a lead to work with so he could do his job" Sanfilippo added.
Wesley Clawson (0-1) notched his second save of the season when he relieved Cameron Keup at the top of the ninth inning.
The Spartans will play their first Mountain West game of the season against San Diego State Friday night at 6:00 p.m. inside Municipal Stadium.