By Andrew Hartley(@andrewhart1ey) – Spear Reporter
SJSU pitcher Ethan Ross finishing windup and preparing to pitch against University of San Francisco on March 7, 2024. I Photo by Titus Wilkinson
San Jose State baseball (0-3, 0-0 MW) came into the 2024 campaign the favorites to win the Mountain West conference.
The Spartans had four players picked to the preseason All-Conference team.
Yet these predictions weren’t evident after being swept this past weekend in a three-game series against UC San Diego (3-0, Big West).
The Spartans were outscored 30-12 and struck out an insane 36 times over these games.
”It’s tough playing from behind,” SJSU head coach Brad Sanfillipo said after the 15-0 loss Saturday. “Just expect more from our pitching and our offense.”
UC San Diego is no slouch, winning the Big West in 2023 and flexing MLB draft prospect Ryan Forcucci. San Jose State could only muster one hit against Forcucci and Izaak Martinez but pitching kept the game close, losing 3-0 Friday night.
Then the 15-0 loss Saturday came.
Again, Spartan batters were stifled achieving only two hits the entire game. 2023 All-Mountain West selection Mickey Thompson allowed 10 runs in 2 and a third innings of work. An offense losing MLB prospect Charles McAdoo may suffer a small bit of regression, but not this bad.
A new look San Jose State appeared Sunday and began slugging. Hunter Dourragh homered in the fourth to tie the all-time SJSU record with 26. It took a commanding 11-0 lead topped off by a Dalton Bowling 2-run home run to left field to cap off the top of the fifth. Things were looking up.
And then came the bottom of the fifth.
Tyler Albanese came in after a solid opening from transfer Michael Rice. Albanese didn’t get an out but allowed three hits which generated three UCSD runs. All with two outs. By the time Jesse Gutierrez came in and got the final out, eight Tritons had crossed the plate.
Keaton Chase would ultimately give up three more runs seeing San Jose State lose 12-11. SJSU’s offense only mustered three hits after the fifth inning.
“We have to figure out a way to finish,” Sanfillipo said. “I’m really disappointed for these guys that we didn’t get it done.”
A team that flexes more than 10 players with at least five years of college baseball. Yet couldn’t close out a double-digit lead.
SJSU will have a week to figure out these problems before a three game series starting Friday against Seattle U with first pitch scheduled for 3:05 p.m.