SAN JOSE, Calif. – Dylan Smith recorded a career-high eight strikeouts across 5.1 innings pitched to lead the San José State baseball team (10-13, 2-1 MW) in a 8-0 loss to UCONN (12-13, 0-0 BIG EAST) Sunday afternoon from Excite Ballpark.
For five innings, the game had the feel of a tight pitchers’ duel. Smith kept the Huskies off the board while the Spartans generated a few chances of their own, highlighted by a leadoff triple from Alex Fernandes in the first inning. However, SJSU couldn’t capitalize, going just 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position on the day.
In the sixth inning, UConn sent 12 batters to the plate and erupted for eight runs on five hits, aided by three Spartan errors. The inning snowballed quickly, an RBI single opened the scoring, followed by defensive miscues that allowed multiple unearned runs to cross. A two-run double and additional RBI knocks capped the rally, turning a scoreless game into an 8–0 deficit.
Offensively, the Spartans struggled to respond. Fernandes and Jake McCoy each recorded two hits, accounting for four of the team’s five total, but San Jose State was unable to string together timely offense. The Spartans held the Huskies scoreless in eight out of nine innings, but were unable to overcome the eight run deficit.
- This was the final game of the Spartans’ 14 game home stand
- Smith tossed a perfect game through three innings
- Fernandes now has 10 multi-hit games this season
- Fernandes has reached base safely in all 23 games this season
- McCoy has seven multi-hit games this season
UP NEXT: The Spartans will face Santa Clara on Tuesday, March 24, at 6 p.m. at Stephen Schott Stadium. The game can be watched on ESPN+.
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