Hunter Dorraugh (Photo by Kavin Mistry)
By Navin Krishnan (@NavinKthespear) – Reporter
San Jose State baseball (20-18) went to battle with a formidable Nevada Wolf Pack (16-11) Friday at Excite Ballpark in what resulted in a 6-5 nail biter of a victory for the Spartans
Right off the bat there was controversy with lead-off hitter Pat Caulfield, as Nevada manager T.J. Bruce was ejected.
The animated Bruce argued that his first hitter landed a potential lead-off home run. The umpire ruled the hit as a foul ball, and Bruce unleashed hell on the umpire.
Closing pitcher Brady Hill picked up a save as the Spartans led by a hair from the start into the end of the contest.
“I think it’s a team camaraderie,” Hill said. “Everyone’s a big family. We were facing a very competitive team. That’s the mojo for us, we’re never out of it. We’re going to battle until the end.”
Hunter Dorraugh opened the floodgates early, hitting a home run to put SJSU up 3-0 in the bottom of the first inning.
With the bases loaded, Landon Wallace (3 RBI) doubled to center field in the sixth inning, giving the Wolf Pack the lead, 5-4.
“We hung in there,” said head coach Brad SanFilipo. “We took a punch. We proved we have some resilient qualities.”
James Shimashita doubled down to left field with runners on second and third base to give the Spartans the lead 6-5 in the bottom of the seventh inning.
“Hell of a job by our pitching,” Dorraugh said. “I know we didn’t put up as many runs as we’d like. But it was a good team win. At the end of the day the goal is to win. Luckily we came out on the winning side today.”
The Spartans look to continue their dominance against Nevada Saturday at home with first pitch at 2:05 p.m.