March 9, 2018
Reno, Nev. --- The San Jose State University baseball team (6-7, 0-3 MW) was defeated 11-4 in the first game of their Mountain West series against Nevada (6-6, 3-1 MW) Friday, March 9 at Don Weir Field. A five-run fourth inning from The Pack broke the 1-1 tie and sealed the victory for Nevada.
"We have got to minimize big innings," said interim head coach Brad Sanfilippo. "If we can minimize those then we have the opportunity to win games."
In the Nevada fourth, Weston Hatten (3-for-5, R, 3RBI) hit a two-run RBI homer to left field with one out to get things started for The Pack. With the bases loaded, Daniel Perry (3-for-5, R, 2RBI) singled through the left side to send Cole Krzmarzick (2-for-4, R, BB) home for a 4-1 lead. Conor Allard (0-3, R, RBI, 2BB) was walked with the bases loaded to bring Marco Valenzuela (1-for-3, R, 2BB) home. Tyler Bosetti (1-for-4, R) would score on a wild pitch from Frank Scalzo, Jr. (0-0) to take a 6-1 lead.
Nevada was up 1-0 until the Spartans' third when Brett Bautista (3-for-4, R, RBI) singled to center field to bring Kellen Strahm (2-for-5, 2R) home to tie the game up at 1-1.
Nevada would have another five-run inning in their sixth to give them a 11-1 lead.
San Jose State looked for an opportunity to get back in the game, but it was too much too late. In the Spartans' eighth, Shane Timmons (1-for-4, 3RBI) doubled to right center with one out and the bases loaded to drive home all three runners to bring the Spartans within seven.
"Shane gave us a big swing at the end of the game to build a little momentum to try and get back in it, but the game was a little far out of hand at that point," Sanfilippo added.
Mark Nowaczewski (2-1) was the winning pitcher on the day. The senior faced 31 batters and allowed four runs through 7.1 innings.
The Spartans return to action tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. in Reno, Nevada for game two in the series against The Wolf Pack.