By Larry Larkin (@larrylarkinsjsu) – Copy Editor | Rocco Caballero is hit by a pitch. (Photo by Christian Vieyra – Spear Photographer)
San Jose State baseball (20-18, 8-8 MW) lost the first game of a three-game series Thursday at home against San Diego State (12-26, 8-8 MW).
It’s the third loss in four games the Spartans suffered to the Aztecs this season, having lost two out of three at San Diego State in March.
“We were too passive,” SJSU head coach Brad Sanfilippo said. “So we’ve got to do a better job offensively to give ourselves a chance.”
SJSU had chances in this game but left six runners on base. San Diego State left five runners on base.
“We left runners on base,” SJSU junior infielder Rocco Caballero said. “The tiny hits that we needed we just weren’t able to get them.”
SJSU had four hits compared to San Diego State’s eight.
Caballero accounted for two of the Spartans’ four hits and got them their only extra-base hit of the game with his double to left field in the sixth inning.
Junior Kyle Calzadiaz, who started the game at pitcher for SJSU, pitched four innings. He allowed three runs on four hits, struck out no batters and walked two.
Senior pitcher Nolan George pitched the final five innings of the game for the Spartans. He allowed two runs, including one earned, on four hits, struck out four batters and walked one.
With the score tied at 2-2 in the fourth inning, sophomore outfielder Jake Jackson hit a leadoff home run to left field for the Aztecs to give them the lead. The Spartans didn’t score another run for the remainder of the game.
Senior outfielder Alex Fernandes spoke about one issue he thought the Spartans had in the game.
“I think overall, we need to be a little bit better early in the count,” Fernandes said. “I think we get into a little bit of a swing mode, where we’re getting ourselves out early.”
SJSU will look to bounce back in the second game of a three-game series against San Diego State. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. Friday at Excite Ballpark.
