By Jose Garcia (@JoseDGarcia__) — Reporter
San Jose State baseball snapped a four-game losing streak against the Dons on Tuesday, winning 4-2 in 10 innings.
The victory can largely be accredited to James Shimashita, thanks to his prowess on the mound and at the plate. The two-way player gave his best Shohei Ohtani impression and smacked a two-run homer in the 10th inning deciding the game for the Spartans.
It’s rare when the original and sequel of a movie both exhibit greatness in cinema. SJSU and University of San Francisco channeled their inner “Shrek” and “Shrek 2” on Tuesday.
The only other time these two teams met was on March 1 at Excite Ballpark, San Jose. In this matchup, the game went to extras as well. Omar Gastelum was the hero in that one walking it off and helping the Spartans win 6-5.
The second installment of SJSU vs. USF had some work cut out for it if it wanted to live up to the hype of the first game.
It only took the first batter of the game to insinuate we were in for another treat. Robbie Hamchuk started the game with a lead-off home run, his fifth big fly of the season. The Spartans took a 1-0 lead and had the momentum on their side early.
Robbie Hamchuk helped give the Spartans, and most importantly his starting pitcher Thompson, the confidence to come out strong.
“I just got done warming up in the bullpen,” said pitcher Micky Thompson. “I was walking down from the pen to the dugout and I saw that go out. That’s the start that we need to get us momentum. Definitely nice pitching with the lead.”
Hamchuk’s lead-off home run inspired Thompson so much that he went on to pitch four innings of scoreless baseball since then.
The fifth inning was when things started to go a bit awry for the Spartans.
With Thompson still on the mound, the inning started off with a lead-off walk. This is a big baseball no-no. The Dons then proceeded to play situational baseball and bunt to get the runner over to second. A double scored the first run of the day for the Dons, tying the game at one.
The lead-off walk had come back to hurt Thompson.
Another hit for the Dons scored the runner on second and gave them the lead 2-1.
The Dons wouldn’t keep the lead for long, as the Spartans answered back in the sixth inning. SJSU was given a base runner as USF committed a throwing error to start the inning. Charles McAdoo was up next and smoked one between the third baseman and shortstop. The ball rolled towards the outfield and with a bad relay from the outfielders, the runner scored from first. The game was tied 2-2.
Thompson was replaced in the sixth inning by James Shimashita, who quickly retired the batters he faced. He pitched two innings of stellar no-run baseball.
The game continued to stay tied through the ninth inning, which meant extra innings between the two teams once again. Something had to give.
At the top of the 10th inning, the Spartans were first to bat and had a chance to go up ahead. Pinch-hitter Stephen Espinoza got the party started with a single to right. Then came Shimashita. He had a simple yet difficult task: get the runner home.
Shimashita did just that and more. He launched one high and far to right field, clearing the outfield netting to put the Spartans up 4-2.
Joey Cammarata came in relief in the bottom of the 10th to close out the game.
He made things interesting by allowing a base runner but nothing more. Cammarata proceeded to shut the door and the Spartans won yet another extra innings game against the Dons.
“I don’t think he can catch but we might give it a shot,” said SJSU coach Brad Sanfilippo when asked if there’s anything James Shimashita can’t do.
The Spartans’ next game is on Friday against rival San Diego State. First pitch is at 6 p.m. in San Diego.