Photo by Kavin Mistry
By Matt Weiner (@MattWeiner20) — BSB Beat Reporter
Omaha of Nebraska 9 (0-1) vs SJSU 14 (1-0)
Just moments after Ethan Ross sat down after tossing a 1-2-3 frame to open up the 2022 season, Robert Hamchuk sent a missile to the palm trees in left center.
“I was rounding second base and I almost felt that I was going to have a heart attack,” Hamchuck said.
Following the deep fly was a volcanic eruption of runs adjacent to Mount Vesuvius, ending at a bulky 14.
No moment was bigger than the bases clearing triple from Theo Hardy with the score knotted up at four in the fourth inning.
It was the epitome of the zen like calmness that the Spartans had all day at the plate on Friday.
Hardy worked a full count, just comfortably hacking away untilt finding the right pitch and pouncing on the opportunity.
It would be easier to find a pink zebra galloping in centerfield than a Spartan chasing a heater above the eyes or a curveball in the dirt.
Jack Collette led the Spartans with three walks, Nathan Cadena had two and Dorraugh, Dany Zimmerman and Omar Gastelum each had one.
“We got Hunter Dorraugh out there with a 3-2 home run after battling pitches off, that’s amazing,” Hamchuck said.
Washington State transfer Ethan Ross started for the Spartans going three innings, allowing four runs, three walks and three hits.
The first two innings were phenomenal as his curve was bending knees and leaving hitters shook.
“I have a lot of feel for my curveball so I love throwing it in any count,” Ross said.
The third inning changed the course of Ross’s Spartan debut.
He opened up with a strikeout, but found trouble when he walked Harrison Denk, gave up a single to Will Hanafan and airmailed a fastball to the backstop, scoring Denk. Ross then walked Mike Boeve and left a cutter over the middle of the plate.
Ross was relieved by winning pitcher Corey Sanchez, who had a strong couple innings going for him before a curveball meant for the dirt ended at Devin Rosario’s knees.
Pitching would be the weak spot for the Spartans, but the offense always kept a comfortable cushion that repelled any worry.
The Spartans look to take the avalanche of runs into tomorrow’s double header at 12:05 p.m. and 3:05 p.m.