By Larry Larkin (@larrylarkinsjsu) – Spear Reporter
SJSU catcher Matt Spear looks towards the diamond before getting back in the squat to call the next pitch. I Photo by Andrew Hartley – The Spear
The bats came out swinging, but it wasn’t enough as San Jose State baseball (19-27, 14-13 MW) lost 9-6 on the road against Air Force (21-25, 13-11 MW) in what was the rubber match of a pivotal three-game series on the road Sunday.
It was a high-scoring affair that was tied 6-6 entering the eighth inning before the Spartans let it get away.
“Tough outcome here on a Sunday at Air Force going into the eighth inning 6-6,” SJSU baseball head coach Brad Sanfilippo said. “I thought the energy and up it was really good today, just fell a little bit short.”
The Spartans’ bats were led by redshirt senior Dalton Bowling who went 2-4 with a home run, three RBIs and scored two runs.
SJSU redshirt senior Robert Hamchuk extended his hit streak to 12 games, a career best. Hamchuk went 2-4 with his 13th double of the season and scored two runs.
The Spartans had four players record a multi-hit game.
The Spartans had no answer for Air Force’s junior outfielder Chase Spencer as he went 4-4 with 2 RBIs for the Falcons.
Air Force took a 9-6 lead in the eighth inning when senior Jay Thomason hit a three-run home run.
SJSU had no more answers.
Redshirt senior starting pitcher Ethan Ross pitched 5 2/3 innings for the Spartans, giving up six runs on 11 hits, eight strikeouts and one walk.
SJSU’s pitching severely struggle as it they gave up 17 runs on 26 hits in the Spartans’ two losses against Air Force.
The Spartans are currently sitting in fifth place in the Mountain West with just three games remaining in conference play.
SJSU’s next game is a non-conference game on the road against University of San Francisco with first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday.