By Israel Archie – Spear reporter
Jackson Forbes preparing to step up to the plate. | Photo by Andrew Hartley- The Spear
San Jose State baseball (4-7, 1-2 MW) got its first conference win against UNLV (9-2, 2-1 MW) 16-13 in Sunday’s doubleheader on the road.
In its second match of the day, SJSU came out swinging, scoring 10 runs in the first three innings including a grand slam by senior shortstop Theo Hardy.
Hardy, along with respective seniors, outfielder Robert Hamchuk and first baseman Hunter Dorraugh lead the Spartans offensively. The three combined for 11 of the team’s 16 RBIs.
“I am happy we got one,” SJSU head coach Brad Sanfilippo said in an X video posted to SJSU athletics. “It definitely showed a little toughness to get the last one here.”
The Spartans kept the momentum going by scoring five more runs in the top of the sixth holding a double-digit lead 15-3.
The Spartans were sitting comfortably in the driver’s seat but the game was far from over. The Rebels scored seven-unanswered runs in the seventh inning, cutting SJSU’s lead to five.
By the ninth inning it was still anyone’s game with the Spartans holding a score being 16-13 lead.
SJSU sophomore pitcher Jesse Gutierrez was able to hold the Rebels striking out freshman designated hitter Alex Overbay and take the victory.
The Spartans will continue their road trip as SJSU is schedule to play Saint Mary’s at 2 p.m. on Tuesday at Brother Ronald Gallagher Stadium.
