By Ernie Gonzalez
It took Jake Swiech a career-high 104 pitches to get SJSU through eight, but reliever Josh Goldberg only 25 to stain Swiech’s start, ultimately costing the Spartans the game en route to a 9-7 loss against Air Force.
The Spartan offense was clicking, early, as six runs crossed home in the first three innings, jumping ahead to a 6-2 lead.
“When the offense starts hitting like that, it gives you a lot of confidence to go back out for the next inning— it let me get in a groove and I just went from there,” Swiech said.
Swiech did exactly what he was asked to, according to head coach Jason Hawkins.
“We needed somebody to pitch deep into the game today, especially after last night, and Jake did a phenomenal job,” Hawkins said.
In the eighth inning, Swiech got out of a jam, giving up one run to make it a 7-4 game, setting up Goldberg for a save opportunity.
Goldberg, who leads the team in saves with three has been one of the more consistent arms out of the pen. But Saturday proved otherwise, giving up five runs on four hits, a walk, and a home run all in 25 pitches.
Hawkins made it clear to his temporary closer that days like this happen every once in awhile.
“I told him you weren’t good enough tonight, but it’s not that you’re not good enough,” Hawkins told Goldberg.
Among better things, catcher Joe Stefanki hit his second career home run, driving one just over the right field wall in the seventh inning. It was the only run the Spartans scored after the third frame.
The Spartans have given up at least five runs in eight straight contests, and once again find themselves in another 5-game skid. It’s the second losing streak of that magnitude this season, but the SJSU will try to avoid being swept on Sunday, as they have not dropped six-in-a-row all year.
First pitch is at 1:00p.m.