SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose State baseball sophomore outfielder Connor Konishi tallied four hits, including two doubles and scored two runs to lead the Spartans at the plate in an 8-3 victory over New Mexico Saturday at Excite Ballpark. With the win, SJSU clinches the series with the finale to come on Sunday.
Konishi was one of seven Spartans to tally a hit. SJSU racked up eight runs on 12 hits. After New Mexico jumped out to a 2-1 lead heading into the third, the SJSU bats came to life, plating three runs in the third and not looking back.
Kellen Strahm plated the first of the three runs on a RBI single up the middle. Strahm then took advantage of a double steal attempt as the throw to third in a rundown struck his shoulder allowing him to plate the second run. Troy Viola then plated another on a RBI single up the middle.
Nick Knecht, who finished the day with three RBI, extended the lead to 4-2 in the fourth on a base hit that plated Toi Moyer. Knecht, who drew the start at first base, finished 2-for-4 and plated two more runs in the seventh on a 2-RBI single to break the game open at 8-3.
New Mexico (16-17, 6-8) didn't go down quietly, however. The Lobos scored in the eighth on a passed ball and threatened in the ninth as they loaded the bases with just one out. Spartan reliever Wesley Clawson stood strong and got out of the jam as he struck out one and induced a flyout to center to end the game.
Spartan starter Tevin Cadola improved to a spotless 5-0 on the season after 5.0 innings on the bump. The right-hander scattered six hits while striking out three and putting five on base by way of a walk. Nicholas Morales relieved him in the sixth and worked 2.2 innings with just one hit and one run allowed.
SJSU improves to 16-15 overall and are 10-4 in league play, the only team in the conference with double-digit conference wins.
The finale between the Spartans and Lobos begins Sunday at 12:00 p.m. PT.
