May 15, 2018
Moraga, Calif. --- The San Jose State University baseball team (23-28) lost 7-3 at Saint Mary's (31-20) Tuesday afternoon in the Spartans last non-conference game of the season.
The Gaels scored four runs in the third inning to take an early 5-0 lead over the Spartans and the team couldn't recover from the deficit.
The midweek game comes ahead of one of the most important series in recent years for the Spartan baseball program. They will battle Air Force for a spot in the Mountain West tournament Thursday night, and interim head coach Brad Sanfilippo used the game as an opportunity to give some work to the freshman and newcomers on the team.
"It's a good Saint Mary's team, and we wanted to rest our guys ahead of the series this weekend," said Sanfilippo. "I think our guys did a fine job. There is a bit of inexperience, and it was a good learning opportunity for them. The game was close, but we gave up a four-spot in the third which was the different maker."
Anders Davidson's first hit of the year helped him record his first two RBI's this season. Davidson singled and scored Samuel Olsson and David Campbell.
The winning pitcher was Saint Mary's Michael Hobbs. Hobbs started the game and pitched one inning. After hitting leadoff hitter, Brett Bautista, Hobbs struck out the next three batters he faced. The Gaels scored in the bottom of the first to help Hobbs earn his third win of the season. Nathan Schneider recorded his first save of the season as well.
The Spartans will return home Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. for a three-game series against their conference opponent Air Force for a battle to decide who will enter the Mountain West tournament.