SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose State baseball allowed three runs in the top of the ninth inning as the Spartans fell to Air Force 5-3 in the series finale Sunday at Municipal Stadium. SJSU still won the series 2-1.
Tied at 2-2 entering the top of the ninth, Air Force quickly put two runners in scoring position with a leadoff single and double off of Spartans' reliever Wesley Clawson. Clawson (0-1) was lifted for Fineas Del Bonta-Smith, who was unable to keep the runners at bay as the Falcons plated three runs on back-to-back singles. Anders Davidson closed out the inning by stranding a pair of runners to end the frame.
SJSU (9-6, 3-3) attempted a rally in the bottom of the inning after a leadoff single by Kellen Strahm and double down the left field line by Troy Viola. Johnny Mendoza plated Strahm on a RBI sacrifice fly to dead center to cut the score to 5-3, but that was as close as the Spartans would get as back-to-back groundouts ended the contest.
Spartans' starter Ben Polack pitched 5.0 innings allowing one run, striking out three and scattering six hits. Nick Morales took over for 1.0 inning before giving way for Clawson, who was charged with the loss after giving up the go-ahead runs.
Air Force reliever Nathan Price (3-0) picked up the win after taking the bump to start the seventh inning. Falcons' starter Ethan Nichols allowed three hits and walked four in his 6.0 innings of work.
The Spartan offense was held in check for the majority of the game, entering the final inning with just four hits before lacing back-to-back hits to start the ninth. Kellen Strahm led the way with two hits and scored a run. James Shimashita tallied his team-leading 17th RBI on the year on a single in the seventh inning that knotted the game at 2-2.
The Spartans will head to Berkeley on Tuesday, March 12 for a nonconference bout with Cal before returning to Municipal Stadium for a weekend series with UNLV March 15-18.
