By Oscar Benitez (OscarB006) – Staff Reporter| Senior Outfielder Jake McCoy final at bat of the game vs San Francisco on Friday Feb. 20 (Photo by Dawson Smith)- Spear Photographer
San Jose State baseball (3-4, 0-0 MW) dropped the final game of its three game series to the University of San Francisco (5-2, 0-0 WCC), falling 9-3 Sunday afternoon at Benedetti Diamond in San Francisco.
The Spartans scored two runs in the fifth inning, but the Dons responded with six runs in the bottom of the inning to take control of the game.
“Disapointed with the efforts here Sunday in San Francisco,” SJSU head coach Brad Sanfilippo told SJSU Athletics. “We had the opportunity to win a series today, but our efforts offensively were not good enough.”
After four scoreless innings, senior catcher Matteo Mendoza drew a leadoff walk and senior infielder Drew Giannini followed with a double to put runners in scoring position.
Senior infielder Rocco Caballero lifted a sacrifice fly to bring in the first run, and senior outfielder Alex Fernandes ripped an RBI double to give the Spartans a 2-0 lead.
The Dons responded immediately with six runs in the bottom of the fifth to take control, and added three more runs in the eighth inning, highlighted by a three run home run from freshman outfielder Jayden Garrison to stretch the lead to 9-3.
The Spartans pushed across their final run in the seventh when Fernandes walked, stole second, advanced to third on an error and scored on an RBI single from freshman infielder Peyton Rowles.
Rowles finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and went 7-for-13 across the three game series.
Fernandes went 1-for-4 with a double, RBI, walk and stolen base while extending his on base streak to seven games.
Giannini recorded his first double of the season in the loss.
As a team, the Spartans went 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
Senior right-handed-pitcher Dylan Smith took the loss after allowing four runs over four innings while striking out four in his first appearance of the season.
The Spartans will face Saint Mary’s at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26 at Louis Guisto Field at Br. Ronald Gallagher Stadium in Moraga, Calif.
