March 25, 2018
Santa Barbara, Calif. --- The San Jose State University baseball team (9-13) fell 11-1 to UC Santa Barbara (9-11-1) in the final game of the series. A big third inning from the Gauchos dug the Spartans a five-run hole they could not climb out of.
The Gauchos scored five runs on Nicholas Morales (1-4) before reliever Jake Swiech (0-1) entered the game. Swiech retired five straight batters and induced a double play to give the Spartans a chance rally and get back into the game.
The Spartans lone run came in the top of the fifth when Chris Williams (0-for-5, RBI) grounded out to third base to score Kellen Strahm (1-for-4, R).
A multi hit performance from Brett Bautista (2-for-3, BB) and Shane Timmons (2-for-5) gave the Spartans an offensive boost, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Gaucho assault.
The Spartans walked the batters eight times and the Gauchos capitalized on that going 5-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
The winning pitcher was Stevie Ledesma (1-1) who played five innings and allowed just one run in his first victory of the season.
The Spartans return Tuesday, March 27 to take on St. Mary's (CA) inside Municipal Stadium at 5:00 p.m.