By Ernie Gonzalez:
It’s been nine days since the Spartans(10-14) last won a game, but 8⅔ innings of shutout baseball steered San Jose State back into the win column.
SJSU defeated Santa Clara University (5-19) 4-2 in what was one of the more dominant pitching performances of the year.
The thieves came out at last night for SJSU — not for stealing bags — but for not paying for them either. The Spartan dugout echoed “Free!” after every walk issued from the Broncos.
The walks proved to be the difference as they silently propelled the Spartans, taking the walk from home-to-first 11 times throughout the game.
Two runs were scored on back-to-back walks in the first and Shane Timmons knocked-in two of his own in the first and in the seventh.
Zach Wallace was given the green light on a short leash Wednesday night as his first career start came against the county-rival Broncos.
Wallace went from green light to lights out as he went three strong, giving up just two hits. But Spartan head coach Jason Hawkins had a thin spool and cut him short, bringing in Jaiden France in the fourth.
And what a decision that was.
France served as the middleman between Wallace and Tovar, setting up Balfour late. France was perfect through his first 10 batters, threw four innings of shutout baseball and struck out a career-high six Broncos.
But the Broncos had their chances. In the second, SCU attempted to stretch a double into a triple, but a stout Spartan relay set up by centerfielder Kellen Strahm, Kyle Morrison’s cut-off positioning and arm strength gunned down the runner.
That didn’t just happen once. But twice. The 9-6-5 relay replayed itself in the ninth, just as the Broncos were on the verge of making a comeback, Strahm, Morrison and Campbell hooked-up once again.
Santa Clara split the lead in half with 2 outs in the ninth to make things interesting, thanks to a two-run shot off Joseph Balfour, but SJSU would hang on.
The Spartans will pack their bags and head to San Diego over the weekend where a three-game series against the Aztecs awaits. San Jose State remains in search for its first road win and will look to end its travel slump in Southern California.
The series kicks off Friday night at 6:00 p.m.
