By Niles Hall | (@n23hall) — Spear Reporter | Shay McDowell taking a bunt in a win against California on April 8. (Photo by Abby Westrope – Spear photographer)
The Spartans came out flat Saturday afternoon, leaving baserunners stranded, struggling to get timely hits, and having pitching miscues.
Nevada junior pitcher Tess Bumiller didn’t make it easy on SJSU, pitching a complete game, allowing four hits and striking out seven batters.
The Spartans’ pitching struggles came in the fourth inning, when senior Lacie Ham walked her first two batters.
SJSU replaced Ham with freshman Taylor Peacock. She gave up a two-run RBI to Nevada junior infielder Haylee Engelbrecht.
Peacock started the fifth inning and got two hitters out from fly balls, but followed this up by allowing two hits.
The Spartans pulled out Peacock for Ham. Ham continued the Spartans’ struggles, giving up another two walks, one of which resulted in an RBI.
Ham was then substituted for senior Mia Reynolds, who closed the rest of the game.
“We needed to bring somebody else, to see if they could give something different and mix up the speed and pitches being called.“ SJSU head coach Tammy Lohmann said.
The Spartans’ lone run came in the third inning. With two baserunners on, junior Shay McDowell hit an RBI single to right field.
The Spartans are entering their final stretch of the season.
“It’s a long season and we have to find ways to finish strong,” Lohmann said.
