SAN JOSE, Calif. – Jesse Gutierrez struck out five, allowing just one run on three hits over 5.2 innings to lead the San José State baseball team (13-17, 4-4 MW) in a 5-3 loss to Washington State (13-16, 6-5 MW) Friday afternoon from Excite Ballpark in the second game of a three game series.
Washington State set the tone early, breaking through with a four-run second inning that ultimately proved decisive. The Cougars scored off an RBI triple, a sac-fly and a two RBI single.
The Spartans struggled to generate offense through the first six innings against Washington State starter Griffin Smith. San José State managed just a few scattered hits early and couldn’t convert consistently with runners on base, finishing 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
San José State finally broke through in the seventh when Jake McCoy launched a solo home run to left field, putting the Spartans on the board.
The Spartans made things interesting in the ninth inning, rallying for two runs. Back-to-back doubles from McCoy and JC Osorio-Agard set up an RBI opportunity, and Rohne Klein followed with a run-scoring single to cut the deficit to 5–3. However, the Spartans were unable to cut the deficit any closer
McCoy led the way offensively for San José State, going 2-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored, while Osorio-Agard added two hits and an RBI.
On the mound, starter Luka Pintar took the loss after allowing three runs in just over an inning of work, putting the Spartans in an early hole. Gutierrez helped limit further damage in the middle innings, while Peter Herrick delivered a solid outing, allowing one run while striking out two in his inning pitched. Tyler Albanese closed things out and kept the game manageable late.
- McCoy’s home run was his team leading sixth of the season
- McCoy has homered in back-to-back games and in three of his last four
- McCoy has recorded multiple hits in nine of his last 11 games
- Gutierrez’s 5.2 innings pitched marked his longest outing of the season
- Gutierrez’s five strikeouts was also a season-high
- Gutierrez retired 14 batters in a row from the third to the seventh innings
- The Spartans struck out eight total batters while only striking out twice
- Alex Fernandes’ on base streak of 29 games ends as this was the first game this season he failed to reach base safely
UP NEXT: The Spartans will play a rubber match against Washington State tomorrow at 11:35 a.m. at Excite Ballpark. The game can be watched on Mountain West Network.
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