Spartan Baseball's Offense Overmatched by Cal Poly Pitching in 7-2 Loss
SAN JOSE, CalifCal Poly's dominating pitching baffled the Spartans' hitters in the San Jose State University baseball team's 7-2 loss to the Mustangs on Saturday afternoon at Blethen Field. The loss was the second to Cal Poly for San Jose in the thre
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The Mustang’s starting pitcher Kevin Correia (2-1, 8 innings, three hits, one run, three walks and seven strikeouts) threw eight solid innings allowing just one late run off three Spartan hits for the win. For the Spartans, Mike Malott (1-1, 5 1/3 innings, then hits, four runs, two walks and five strikeouts) started the game allowing four runs before San Jose State went to the bullpen in the sixth taking the loss.
"These last two games Cal Poly has dominated us in most aspects of the game. Their pitchers neutralized our offense and our pitchers had to labor against a good hitting team," said Spartan head coach Sam Piraro. "Cal Poly didn’t make any mistakes today and when we made a mistake out there they took advantage of it."
Cal Poly went to work early, scoring two runs in the first to take the lead. Left fielder Brian Haskell (2-for-4, two runs, two RBI, one homerun, one walk) singled in first baseman Tony Alcantar for the first Cal Poly run. Center fielder Jason Barringer (2-for-5, two RBI and one strikeout) hit and RBI double scoring catcher Kyle Wilson (4-for-5, two runs, one strikeout) for the second run of the inning and was one of five Mustang hitters to have two or more hits in the game.
The Mustangs would add one run in the fifth off Alcantar’s single and one in the sixth on a lead-off home run from Haskell. Cal Poly added three more runs in the seventh to take a 7-0 lead. Defensively, Correia never allowed more than one baserunner to reach safely through the first five innings.
The Spartans strung together thee hits through seven before catcher Adam Shorsher (2-for-3, one run, one RBI, one strikeout) broke the shutout with a solo homerun in the eighth. San Jose State had a single and back-to-back walks with one out in the ninth, but were able to score just one run before Cal Poly retired the last two Spartan batters.
"We just need to get our their and win Sunday’s game," continued Piraro. "Right now they’re a better team than us and its a matter of pride not letting a team sweep you at home."
The three-game series concluded Sunday at Municipal Stadium at 1:00 p.m. The Spartans will then hit the road for seven games beginning Tuesday against San Francisco.
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