By Ryan Vermont:
San Jose State lost its second straight one-run game last night after its ninth-inning rally failed to bring home the game-tying run from third.
The Spartans (9-13) scored twice in the final frame and moved another man within 90-feet from home plate but couldn’t get the job done, falling to Hawaii (14-8) 5-4.
With the game on the line, head coach Jason Hawkins called upon Kyle Blakeman to pinch hit for Kellen Strahm, with a chance to drive in Graham Gomez standing on third with two outs.
Blakeman, who had 3 RBI’s the day before, would ground out to Hawaii third baseman Josh Rojas to end the contest.
The Spartans outhit the ‘Bows 9-4 in the game but the home team capitalized on SJSU’s lack of control on the mound.
Through six innings, SJSU’s starter Matt Brown had allowed just 2 runs on 2 hits but walked 4. He struggled in the seventh inning and left the mound with the bases loaded and no outs after giving up the go-ahead run.
Brown concluded his day allowing six walks, one hit batsman and two wild pitches.
It took several relievers to get the Spartans back in the dugout and by the time they did, the Rainbow Warriors had tacked on two more pushing the score to 5-2.
In the top of the 9th, the Spartans strung together a few singles to cut the game to 5-4 but that was as close as they would get.
SJSU has one more chance to salvage a win this weekend in Honolulu.
First pitch for the series finale between the teams is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. PT.