By Israel Archie – Spear Reporter
Micky Thompson throws a pitch against Air Force on Mar. 9, 2024. Photo by Nick Orozco – The Spear
San Jose State baseball (6-9, 2-4 MW) lost Sunday to Air Force (6-9, 2-1 MW) 6-5 after a late ninth-inning home run from senior third baseman Jay Thomason gave Air Force the lead.
This game concluded the three-game weekend series against these two and followed Saturday’s game where the Spartans lost 4-1 giving the Falcons a 2-1 victory on the series.
“We did not play our best baseball,” SJSU head coach Brad Sanfilippo said after Saturday’s game. “It’s hard, you know you have to try to repeat the same energy and same effort.”
Despite the loss, senior pitcher Micky Thompson recorded seven strikeouts and pitched six innings. Sanfilippo believed he gave the team a ‘really good’ start.
The Spartans struggled offensively in Saturday’s game getting their only run in the fourth inning from senior third baseman Dalton Bowling following junior outfielder Kimo Fukofuka‘s hit.
“Our bats will come around,” Thompson said. “One run is not going to be the norm for us for the rest of the year so I don’t have any worries about that.”
Sunday’s game was a battle that came down to the final inning.
The Spartans had bases loaded with two outs but could not capitalize.
“You got to take advantage of those opportunities,” Sanfilippo said. “We had a couple opportunities and we didn’t capitalize on them.”
The Falcons had a surge in the fifth inning scoring three runs due to pitching struggles from junior Gary Hall who allowed three walks in the inning.
He was later relieved by senior Corey Sanchez who was able to hold the Falcons off until their ninth inning run.
“It’s all about picking up the other guy,” Sanchez said. “If you are coming in pick up the other guy because he is in a jam or something.”
With this weekend series wrapped up, the Spartans will keep moving forward as they are scheduled to host Saint Mary’s Tuesday at 5:05 p.m