By Alex Stoev (@alexstoevsjsu) – Spear Reporter | Senior shortstop Rocco Caballero celebrating during the game (Photo courtesy of SJSU athletics)
San Jose State baseball (2-1, 0-0 MW) barely snuck past Long Beach State (1-2, 0-0 BWC) 3-2 in the last game of a three game series on Sunday night to give them its first series win against Long Beach since 1994.
While down 2-1 in the top of the ninth inning, senior shortstop Rocco Caballero hit an RBI double to left field, drawing in redshirt sophomore left fielder Trevor Wilson to score from second base tying it 2-2.
The very next play, Caballero would score the winning run, as sophomore pinch hitter Rohne Klein also hit an RBI double to center field to bring Caballero home.
The Spartans were able to catch Dirtbags senior pitcher Erick Diez on a bad day, as he would be the one to give up the two winning runs scored by SJSU in the top of the ninth.
It would be his only inning pitched during the entire game. And it cost him, giving him the loss.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, junior pitcher Tyler Albanese checked in and secured the win for SJSU. Facing seven batters and giving up one hit, also gave him his first win of the season.
Although batting production was almost the same as game two on Saturday night, pitching was much better as SJSU only gave up eight hits compared to 13 the night before.
Senior right fielder Alex Fernandes continues to shine at the plate to start the season, as he leads the team in batting average at .636.
The Spartans will get a day off before returning home to play Cal Poly at 1:05 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 17 at Excite Ballpark.
