By Brianna Huffmaster (@bhuffmaster2024) – Spear Reporter
Team huddle during pregame warmups. | Photo by Brianna Huffmaster – The Spear
San Jose State baseball (9-19, 4-8 MW) snapped a five-game losing streak Tuesday night winning the season series against Santa Clara University (15-11, 3-3 WCC) 11-8 in a crosstown roadtrip.
The Spartans’ offense finally found ways to score big with runners on base. The team has lost many close games due to not taking advantage of base runners.
“Offensively they put up 13 hits which is pretty impressive,” SJSU head coach Brad Sanfilippo said. “Lot of leadoff runners and being able to take advantage of some of the opportunities we created.”
Two big contributors were third baseman Nathan Cadena and first baseman Zach Griffin both hit solo home runs. Cadena went 2-for-4 and Griffin hit an RBI single in the eighth inning that added two insurance runs on the board.
“We definitely wanted to start early in the game (offensively),” Griffin said. “Keep going, score every inning. We scored six out of nine innings. We’re working together as a team just using our bats.”
The team is without two of its most powerful offensive hitters, Dalton Bowling and Hunter Dorraugh. Both are currently out due to injury but the offense was able to fill in those missing pieces.
“We’re still missing two of our more productive offensive players,” Sanfilippo said. “There are opportunities for some other guys to play. I’m pretty happy with the collective effort.”
Griffin, who is currently starting at first base for Dorraugh, is primarily a catcher but has been learning and getting more reps at first.
“I’m definitely feeling a lot more comfortable at first,” Griffin said. “Hunter is there everyday at practice showing me the ropes which is really helpful. It shows how close we are as a team.”
On the mound, Keaton Chase started the game and gave up two runs and four hits through 1 2/3 innings. Though the bullpen did give up six runs to Santa Clara, the offense provided enough power and insurance to secure the win.
The Spartans have a rough stretch coming up. Most of the games remaining on the schedule are away games and one big road trip against No. 1 ranked Arkansas. The team knows they have to be good on the road in order to climb up the Mountain West standings.
“Playing on the road and playing good on the road is what makes good teams, great teams,” SJSU catcher Matt Spear said.
SJSU baseball will face off against Mountain West rival San Diego State on April 5-7. Though SJSU is the home team, the game will be played at Stephen Schott Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. due to the minor league baseball season starting at Excite Ballpark. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. Friday.
