By Matt Weiner (@mattweiner20) – Baseball Beat Reporter // Photo Via Kavin Minstry of The Spear
Less than 24 hours after falling 18-1, SJSU (11-10, 4-3 MW) triumphed over Nevada 7-6 due in large part to Robert Hamchuk’s three-run home run in the eighth inning.
SJSU entered the frame down 5-3 and their come from behind victory was SJSU head coach Brad Sanfilippo’s 100th all-time since becoming the Spartans’ skipper in 2018.
“It speaks to that we’ve taken some steps forward and I think it speaks to the loyalty and commitment that those older guys have had to the program,” said Sanfilippo.
SJSU had been knocking at the door prior to the eighth, but left nine runners on before the start of the seventh inning. The Spartans’ Jeriah Lewis got the scoring started in the eighth inning by singling home Nathan Cadena, who led the inning off with a double and led SJSU with three hits.
Following Lewis’ single, Nevada (13-3, 3-6 MW) replaced struggling reliever Peyton Stumbo with Morgan White, who then then gave up the crushing, three-run home run to Hamchuk that towered over the left field wall.
“I felt like we had an answer in us,” said Sanfilippo.
Stumbo was charged with the loss and Wolf Pack starting pitcher Dorian Doktorcyzki was handed a no-decision after he registered a quality start.
It was Hamchuk’s second of the year and the second home run from a Spartan. The first came from Hunter Dorraugh after he launched a two-run home run in the fifth inning to knot the game up at three for his third of the season. He’s trailing only Dalton Bowling, who has four home runs on the season, for the team lead.
“I’m not shocked when Hunter or Robbie has a big swing,” Sanfilippo said, “I’m obviously grateful to have such a relentless effort.”
SJSU starting pitcher Micky Thompson gave the lead right back after allowing a two-run home run to Nevada’s Jesse Pierce.
His turbulent final two innings didn’t match his breezy and efficient scoreless first three innings to begin the game where he didn’t allow any walks.
Thompson began to falter in the fourth where he allowed three runs capped off by JR Freethy after he drove home Jaxon Woodhouse and Nick Wilson. Thompson finished the frame with two walks and hit a batter after not having control issues through the first three frames. He left with a final line of five innings pitched, five earned runs, four hits, three walks and four strikeouts.
However, SJSU’s Keaton Chase and Jack White were excellent in relief, combining for three scoreless innings. SJSU closer Darren Jansen made things hectic in the ninth by allowing one run to score and then placing the tying run on third and winning run on first, but got his second save of the season after striking out Nick Wilson.
“It’s not even a fair enough description, but Jack White has been really, really good,” said Sanfilippo.
“When you have quality depth in bullpen where you got multiple guys you feel comfortable with like Keaton Chase or Jack White probably could have finished that game.”
Chase, who punched in scoreless sixth and seventh innings, got the win and SJSU’s bullpen combined for one earned run in four innings. A massive improvement after SJSU had allowed 12 runs in 3.2 innings the night before in SJSU’s worst loss since 2015.
Nevada’s Doktorcyzki went six innings and allowed three runs on seven hits, two walks and struck out seven. SJSU had success getting runners on, but struggled to finish the deal and bring runners across the plate.
SJSU struck out a total of 14 times and left 14 runners on base, too. Before SJSU’s four-run eighth inning, catcher Matt Spear struck out with the bases loaded to end the seventh inning.
The Spartans will look to their Sunday starter Aaron Eden to win the series tomorrow. First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m.
“I’m really happy that we continued to fight late in the game to get that thing done,” said Sanfilippo.
