By Brianna Huffmaster | Spear Editor
Nathan Cadena sliding home for a close play at home. | Photo by Nick Orozco – The Spear
Friday night was an offensive explosion for San Jose State baseball as they knocked out regular season Mountain West champions Air Force from the winner’s bracket. SJSU is headed to the Mountain West Championship Game and one step closer to back-to-back championships with a big 16-9 defeat.
A back and forth battle most of the game, but junior third baseman Nathan Cadena and redshirt senior left fielder Robert Hamchuk were the stars of the offense.
It was tied game until the sixth when SJSU took the lead and never looked back. Cadena went 4-for-5 with three RBIs on the night. Meanwhile, Hamchuk hit two huge home runs in the seventh and eighth to seal the game. He finished with six RBIs and extended his career-best hitting streak to 21.
“We had a ton of hits and runs today,” Hamchuk said. “Everyone’s looking for that big moment and we’re starting to capitalize on some things.”
With Hamchuk hitting leadoff and Cadena at the sixth spot, it was productive throughout the order. The Spartans scored in every inning except the third and fourth.
“I thought we got great production up and down our lineup,” SJSU head coach Brad Sanfilippo said. “The bottom of the order did a great job of setting the table for the top.”
The offense has had hot and cold stretches throughout the regular season, but the offense has been explosive in the tournament so far.
“With all the experience we have on the team, we’ve been in this moment,” Cadena said. “We know not to ride the roller coaster of emotions and just keep hitting.”
Micky Thompson started on the mound and finished with a stat line of seven runs and seven hits through five innings pitched. Nolan George came in for four innings of work and the save.
SJSU has seen both strong pitching and offensive performances in the first two days of tournament play. If the Spartans continue this momentum and win one more game, they will bring the championship title to the 408 for the second-straight season.
The Championship Game is set for Saturday at 6 p.m. against Fresno State, and since SJSU is undefeated in the tournament, a win tomorrow will secure the title. Game seven is set for Sunday if SJSU drops Saturday’s game.
