By Hector Roldan (@HectorRSJSU) – Spear Reporter
Sophomore Reina Zermeno as she throws the ball to get the runner out in a game against Cal Poly. | Photo by Andrew Hartley – The Spear
San Jose State (11-11, 2-1 MW) defeated New Mexico (8-23, 1-2 MW) 9-3 Sunday to take a 2-1 series victory. The Spartans tied their season high in runs scored with nine in the contest after scoring five of their nine runs in the bottom of the third inning.
San Jose had hot bats in Sunday’s matchup combining for 12 hits and striking out just once at the plate.
Sophomore Reina Zermeno had a big day at the plate going 2-3 on the afternoon while also scoring two runs and two RBIs.
“I felt like I’ve struggled the past couple of weeks but my team and coaching staff really believe in me,” Zermeno said. “We’re aggressive and we’re never going to give up and we are going to believe that we can win the game.”
Starting pitcher Lacie Ham struggled in the circle for the Spartans as she pitched just 1 2/3 innings while giving up two runs on five hits. Ham went just 2/3 of an inning in Friday’s match and has struggled of late, receiving no decisions in both contests.
Freshman pitcher Alexis Toner came in relief of Ham where she pitched exceptionally well and went 5 1/3 innings pitched giving up one run that was unearned while giving up just three hits in her outing.
“[Alexis] Toner did great job offensively coming in and putting everything together,” SJSU head coach Tammy Lohmann said.
Five Spartans had multiple hits in the game including Zermeno, Taylor Squires, Aneesa Almaguer, Haley Reeve and Ashley Rico.
“I’m putting in some extra work to maintain that positive mindset and to be the player I know that I can be,” Rico said. “We only look at stats after and our goal today was to just give it New Mexico.”
“We’re going to continue this momentum and prepare for this week,” Lohmann said. “It’s going to test us and get us prepared.”
San Jose will head to LMU next weekend in a non-conference matchup Saturday, March 23 with first pitch scheduled for noon.
