April 14, 2018
San Jose, Calif. --- Shane Timmons' grand slam with two outs in the top of the seventh inning broke the game open to help give the San Jose State baseball team (13-20, 5-11 MW) a 15-7 win over Fresno State (21-13, 8-9 MW) in game two at Bob Bennett Stadium.
Timmons had himself a career day against the Bulldogs. The senior from Mission Viejo, California went 4-for-5 with a two-run homer in the fourth, his grand slam in the seventh and eight RBI's. The eight RBI's are the second most ever recorded in a single game in San Jose State history. Timmons, hit by a pitch in the sixth, is now tied for second on the career all-time home runs list with Robert Berns at 23. He is also tied for third in career all-time RBI's with Danny Stienstra at 126.
"Were always comfortable to have him in the hitting order," said interim head coach Brad Sanfilippo. "We have been looking for some big hits and it was really nice that he could come through for the team."
The hits were contagious. David Campbell had his first career four hit game. The senior went 4-for-5 scoring three runs Saturday night. In Campbell's last five games, he is batting .381 with two RBI's.
In the top of the first, Johnny Mendoza grounded out to the pitcher with one out to score Morrison and give the Spartans a 4-0 lead.
When leading after the first inning, the Spartans have a 5-2 record.
"Tonight was a big game for us," added Sanfilippo. "We haven't played very well on the road. After losing last night it was nice to get some big hits from the team."
Seven different Spartans in the lineup recorded a multi-hit game Saturday night. Timmons (4-for-5, 3R, 8RBI), Campbell (4-for-5, 3R), Mendoza (3-for-5, R, 2RBI), Kellen Strahm (2-for-4, 3R), Chris Williams (2-for-5, RBI), Connor Konishi (2-for-4), and Aaron Pleschner (2-for-5, 2R, 2RBI).
The winning pitcher was Andrew Mitchel. The junior is now 4-0 this season after striking out six batters and allowing four runs in 6.0 innings. He leads the Spartans with 50 strike outs this season.
With the Spartans up 8-4 in the bottom of the fifth, Mitchel struck out Torin Goldstein (2-for-5) on a 2-2 count with two outs and the bases loaded to hold off the Bulldog comeback.
Edgar Gonzalez (5-2) took the loss for the Bulldogs after giving up a season high 11 hits and eight runs. His two losses this season come from the Spartans.
The Spartans look to take the series in the rubber match tomorrow at 1:05 p.m. at Bob Bennett Stadium.