By Brianna Huffmaster (@bhuffmaster2024) – Spear Reporter
Pitcher Drew Stapleton walking off the mound after giving up a momentum shifting three-run home run | Photo by Nick Orozco – The Spear
San Jose State baseball (6-10, 2-4 MW) had a tough mid-week loss Tuesday against Bay Area rival Saint Mary’s (10-6, 0-0 WCC) at Excite Ballpark.
The Spartans lost 7-1, but the score was tied most of the game.
“We gotta figure it out offensively to create more opportunities for ourselves,” SJSU head coach Brad Sanfilippo said. “Disappointed, but learning some things that will hopefully serve us well in conference.”
The shift of momentum for the Spartans was in the eighth inning. With two outs, pitcher Drew Stapleton gave up a three-run homer to grad student Christian Almanza to break the 1-1 tie.
Joey Cammarata then came in for relief and gave up another three-run homer this time to Connor Harrison. The Gaels were able to take advantage of runners on base and it paid off. Pitching has continued to be the weakest spot for the team so far this season.
Offensively, the lone run of the game for the Spartans came in the third inning when first baseman Hunter Dorraugh hit an RBI double to bring in shortstop Theo Hardy.
After this, the bats were quiet and many opportunities were wasted. Seven Spartan runners were left on base.
“You don’t play well, you’re not going to win,” Hardy said. “You have to find a way to keep on scoring and keep putting pressure on their defense.”
The Spartan offense sparked a ninth inning rally with the bases loaded, but couldn’t take advantage.
“We’re doing good some days and not so good other days,” Sanfilippo said. “We’re trying to find consistency, trying to get everybody on at the same time. We’ll continue to work.”
SJSU baseball had a quick turnaround with a day trip to San Francisco on Wednesday to play USF at 1 p.m. The Spartans played 11 innings in that matchup and ultimately lost 7-6 in walk-off fashion.