SAN DIEGO, Calif. – San Jose State baseball scored three runs in the eighth inning, but was unable to avoid the sweep as the Spartans fell 10-8 Sunday to San Diego State as the Aztecs finished off the series.
Trailing 10-5 in the eighth, the Spartans attempted to mount the late comeback as an error in left field on a single hit by Troy Viola allowed two SJSU runs to come across. Jack Colette then plated Viola on a RBI single.
The Spartans then put themselves in great position in the ninth as they loaded the bases with one out, but a popup and strikeout left them loaded. With the loss, SJSU drops to 19-29 overall and 12-12 in Mountain West played.
Jonathan Clark (2-3) started on the mound and was responsible for four runs, though just one earned in 3.1 innings. Nicholas Morales then allowed five more runs over 1.2 innings as the Aztecs (29-19, 14-9) mounted a big lead. Seven of their 10 runs came in the fourth inning.
Despite the loss, SJSU continued to hit the ball well as the tallied 12 knocks. Blake Berry was one of four Spartans with a multi-hit game, going 3-for-5 with a run scored, two RBI and a double.
Johnny Mendoza and Kellen Strahm each saw limited playing time for the second time of the weekend after missing significant time due to injury. Both finished 0-for-1 in pinch hit at bats.
SDSU starter Aaron Eden (4-1) picked up the win while Casey Schmitt (8) got the save. Schmitt also finished 2-for-5 with three RBI and a run scored to lead the Aztecs at the plate.
The Spartans will look to get back on track this weekend as they host Nevada for a three-game series beginning Friday at 6:00 p.m.