April 10, 2018
San Jose, Calif. --- The San Jose State University baseball team (12-19) broke open the game with a four-run fifth inning to win, 9-3, at Santa Clara (15-15) Tuesday night inside Stephen A. Schott Stadium.
"It was nice to come out here and be competitive and try to get one back here after they got us at our place earlier in the season," said interim head coach Brad Sanfilippo. "I was really happy with our effort offensively tonight. We were able to execute some offensive plays that gave us some momentum."
Shane Timmons got the big fifth inning started for the Spartans when he singled to center field scoring Brett Bautista and Johnny Mendoza to make it 5-1.
Timmons recorded his fourth career four-RBI game going 5-for-5 against the Broncos. It was the first four-RBI game this season by a San Jose State player. The senior from Mission Viejo, California has knocked in 118 RBI's in his career which ties him for sixth all-time at San Jose State in runs batted in.
Later in the Spartan's fifth, Chris Williams singled to center field and scored Kellen Strahm. David Campbell (1-for-5, RBI) then reached on a fielder's choice with one out to send Timmons to home plate for the 7-1 lead.
Every Spartan in the lineup contributed on offense with either a run, hit, or RBI.
Strahm, Timmons and Williams in the 2-3-4 spots in the lineup were especially effective against the Broncos. The 2-3-4 spots combined to go 9-for-12, 4R, 7 RBIs, BB.
Strahm recorded his third, three-hit game of the season going 3-for-4 with a triple and scoring three runs on the night. Strahm extended his hit and reached bases streaks to five games. Williams was 1-for-3 and had his second, three RBI game this year.
Jake Swiech (1-1) earned his first win of the season allowing one run in 5.0 innings. The senior pitched three consecutive shutout innings walking one batter Tuesday night against a power hitting team that had 29 home runs this season.
"Jake is healthy and pitched well tonight," added Sanfilippo. "It was nice for him to go out there and get his first win of the season."
The Spartans will travel to Fresno State to battle their rival Bulldogs in a three-game Mountain West series beginning, Friday, April 13 at 6:05 p.m.