By Haddy Barghouti – Spear Reporter | Junior catcher Jake Maroney swings the bat during SJSU’s 14-1 win over Air Force. (Photo by Max Garcia – Spear Photographer)
San Jose State baseball (13-8) put up an offensive show Friday against Mountain West rivals Air Force (7-14), winning 14-1 at Excite Ballpark.
Spartans outfielder Neil Jansen had the highlight once again. After he recorded the team’s first grand slam on Wednesday, he scored an inside-the-park home run Friday in the second inning.
“I remember there were two strikes; he was working the cutters and sliders,” Jansen said. “I just made sure I saw the ball deep and the left fielder missed it and I just kept on running.”
This was the first Spartans inside-the-park home run of the season.
The Spartans got off to a hot start, scoring four runs in the first inning and seven in the second inning, building an early 11-0 advantage.
The Falcons made an early pitching change in the second, as pitcher Dylan Rogers came in for Bowen Brantingham, but the Spartans were not bothered by that. They scored another run in the third inning after an RBI double from infielder Rocco Caballero.
The Spartans scored two more runs in the fifth inning, building the 14-0 lead.
Air Force got on the scoring board in the sixth inning, but it was not enough, as the Spartans’ 14 runs marked the most runs they have scored in a game this season.
The Spartans recorded 14 hits and 12 RBIs.
“I think we’re just taking better quality bats as a team,” Jansen said. “Seeing more pitches, working the count and using the middle helped us a lot.”
The offense wasn’t the only thing clicking for the Spartans. Right-handed pitcher Nolan George performed well on the mound, allowing zero runs through the first five innings and only one hit.
“I mean, just go out and attack from pitch one,” George said. “We got a good scouting report, really just commit to it, throw the pitches the coach calls and just go execute as much as I can.”
George recorded seven strikeouts and allowed three total runs through seven innings. His seven strikeouts mark the most he’s had all season.
“My guy Jake’s going to work for me behind the dish,” George said. Catcher Jake Maroney recorded one hit and one run while connecting with George on pitches.
“You go out there and your team’s up 11, there’s not much I have to do,” George said. “You go out there and get three outs an inning and just get us back in there to swing the bats when we’re hot.”
The Spartans have also scored nine runs in the last three games, the first time they scored that many in a three-game span all season.
“You can go through practice all fall and still not know what the personality of the offense is gonna be until we really start to play somebody else,” head coach Brad Sanfilippo said. “I think we’re settling into some spots to try and find the right mix of guys.”
The Spartans got a hit from every player in the batting rotation in only seven innings of play.
“I’m really proud of our offense tonight,” Sanfilippo said. “I thought we were mature at the plate in terms of executing with guys on base.”
The Falcons got a taste of the Spartans’ offense after Air Force scored 14 runs in their last match.
The Spartans are back Saturday at 2:05 against Air Force as they look to win the series and continue their win streak.
“We just gotta keep doing what we’re doing,” Jansen said. “Having good at-bats, our arms gonna keep us in the game always.”
