SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose State baseball dropped a hard-fought 2-1 final in game one of a doubleheader with Santa Clara on Saturday before falling 13-2 in the second game as the Spartans were unable to avoid the sweep.
Despite putting up just three combined runs, the Spartans (0-3) had plenty of offensive production with 16 combined hits, but just weren't able to bring the runners home as they left 19 runners on base.
Game one started with plenty of promise as SJSU opened the contest with a bang, plating the game's first run in the bottom of the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Reece Hernandez. The lead last until the fourth inning when Santa Clara's Jake MacNichols roped a 2-run homer to left-center to take the lead at 2-1. The Spartans had a great opportunity to answer in the sixth as they loaded the bases after back-to-back two-out singles by Jack Colette and Troy Viola followed by an intentional walk to Robert Hamchuk, but a groundout to short ended the threat. That was as close as it would get as the Spartans were held to one hit over the final three innings.
SJSU starting pitcher Kevin Kyle was charged with the loss. The junior worked 6.1 innings with just four hits against and two walks while striking out three. Broncos reliever Alex Reelfs (1-0) was credited with the win while Ethan Heinrich picked up his first save of the season. Wesley Clawson worked the remaining innings for SJSU and finished with three strikeouts.
The Spartans finished with five knocks to the Broncos' four and finished with 10 runners left on base. Colette was responsible for two of the five hits to lead the squad.
Game two saw a dramatic turn from the previous style of play as Santa Clara scored early and often beginning with back-to-back homers in the first inning, including a 3-run shot, to jump out to a 4-0 lead as the Broncos cruised to a 13-2 victory.
SJSU finally got on the board in the eighth as pinch hitter Ryan Belluomini put a charge into his swing and knocked out his first career home run, a two-run shot to left. That was the team's lone scoring play despite finishing with 11 hits. Ruben Ibarra and Hamchuk each finished with a pair of hits.
Trevor Ernt got the starting nod and was charged with the loss after 1.2 innings. Dom Eberle, Anders Davidson and Ben Polack also toed the rubber in relief. Polack had an efficient final three innings with five strikeouts and two hits allowed.
The Spartans will look to avoid the series sweep tomorrow as they change venues for the finale. First pitch at Stephen Schott Stadium in Santa Clara is set for noon.
