THIBODAUX, La. – San Jose State baseball lost game two of their series against Nicholls State by a final of 6-5 in a game that spanned 5:59, extended 16 innings, saw a total of 12 pitching changes and 27 combined hits.
The game is one of the longest in Spartan history and 16 innings are the most since February 23, 2011 when SJSU defeated Albany 6-5 in 17 innings.
The Spartans (18-25, 12-9) looked to have the game all but wrapped up after Nico Malbrough plated the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th inning. Fineas Del Bonta-Smith entered to close out the contest, but Ethan Valdez hit a 3-0 pitch out of the park for the tying run.
It would be nearly six full innings before either team scored again as both coaching staffs turned to their bullpens to extend the game. Anders Davidson was tasked with the job for the Spartans and worked a solid 4.1 innings, striking out five and surrendering just two hits and a run against.
Ben Polack replaced Davidson on the bump with one out in the 16th inning and loaded the bases with a hit by pitch and a walk. Jack Colette took over from his fielding position, and threw only one pitch as Nicholls State's Champ Davison made a surprising move to steal home from third base. The pitch was mishandled behind the dish and Davison snuck in for the game-winning run.
Davidson, responsible for the winning run, was charged with the loss to drop to 1-2 on the year. Tyler Theriot (3-0) picked up the win for the Colonels.
The Spartans took a 3-0 advantage into the bottom of the fourth inning before Nicholls State plated a pair to cut the lead to 3-2. Colette scored his first of two runs to start things off on a balk and Brandon Peterson laced a RBI single to plate Malbrough in the third. SJSU tacked on another in the fourth as Colette scored Ryan Belluomini on a sacrifice bunt.
Crafty base running gave the Spartans a 4-2 lead in the seventh as Peterson used a pickoff attempt to scoot home from third while Troy Viola was caught in the rundown. Unfortunately, Nicholls State responded in the home half with two runs to tie the game at 4-4.
SJSU finished with 16 hits led Peterson, Malbrough and Aaron Pleschner who each tallied a three-hit game. Viola and Blake Berry tacked a pair of hits apiece.
The Spartans will look to avoid the sweep tomorrow in the series finale. First pitch is slated for 11:30 a.m. CT/9:30 PT.
