SANTA CLARA, Calif. – San Jose State baseball was unable to keep a high octane Santa Clara offense at bay as the Broncos put a bow on the series with an 18-4 win at Stephen Schott Stadium on Sunday.
The Broncos struck first in the opening inning as Jake MacNichols knocked out a 2-run homer, his third of the series, to take an early lead. SJSU responded promptly however as they scratched across a pair in the second. James Shimashita led off the frame with a double to the gap in right-center and scored on a sacrifice fly by Robert Hamchuk. Troy Viola scored the tying run with a head's up decision to take home during a rundown at second base.
Santa Clara then had an offensive explosion in the second inning as they struck for seven runs on eight hits, including two triples. Former Spartan Michael Bowes started the damage with a two-run homer. The Broncos went yard again in the fourth as MacNichols hit his second round-tripper of the afternoon for a solo run.
SJSU chipped into the lead in the top of the fifth as designated hitter Reece Hernandez plated a pair on a bloop double that hung just inside the left field line to make it 10-4. The Broncos responded with two runs in the home half, tacked on four more in the sixth and two in the seventh.
The Spartans (0-4) had four hits on the afternoon, all doubles. Santa Clara finished with 22 hits, including four triples and three homers.
SJSU starting pitcher Trevor Allen, a true freshman from Los Gatos make his first collegiate appearance, was charged with the loss. Sean Prozell, Corey Sanchez and Nicholas Morales saw time on the mound in relief duty.
The win was credited to Alex Tisminezky. The Broncos were led at the plate by Connor Henriques and Austin Reyes, who each laced four hits. MacNichols finished with three hits, two of which were homers, and five RBI.
The Spartans return to action next weekend for a three-game series as they host Creighton beginning on Friday at 6:00 p.m.
