Dawson Smith- Spear Reporter| Senior outfielder Alex Fernandes (Photo by Gabriella Kelly- Spear Photographer)
The sun was shining for San Jose State baseball (4-10, 0-0 MW) against the University of Pittsburgh (11-2, 0-0 WCC) on Saturday afternoon at Excite Ballpark, but the Spartans fell 13-8 in a not-so-shining performance.
Senior outfielder Alex Fernandes and freshman infielder Peyton Rowles were the lone bright spots, combining for five RBIs, two hits, and three walks.
SJSU looked to comeback from the 20-1 mercy-rule in Game 1 against the Power Four Pitt Panthers.
The first two innings saw the Spartans appear like they could comeback as they were leading 5-1 and had Pitt graduate student pitcher Vincent Spizzoucco throw 11 straight balls.
The Spartans used three pitchers in the nine innings, throwing 129 total pitches with six strikeouts. They allowed 12 of 13 runs, and only allowed three walks.
The Spartans might have seen a worse score line as the Panthers left nine players on base and one of their errors allowed a run to score.
Despite the loss, SJSU head coach Brad Sanfilippo noted an improvement in his pitching unit’s approach.
“We obviously threw more strikes and were able to throw our breaking balls for strikes,” Sanfilippo said.
Starting pitcher David Thomas helped settle the game early, allowing three hits and one run while recording a strikeout during his outing.
Thomas was pulled after 3 1/3 innings, going a perfect 22 strikes and 22 balls on his 44 pitches.
SJSU’s pitching staff worked efficiently early but struggled to contain the Panthers offense once it began stringing together hits in the middle innings, allowing three home runs.
The bats did not help their pitchers as they continued to struggle for the Spartans as the left four on base and got outhit 18-7.
89 pitches is all the Panthers had to throw against the Spartans and it shows that the batters were not patient at the plate today.
It might not seem like a lot but the times when they needed a hit they went blank. Teams want to score runs and the Panthers offense was the opposite of the Spartans as they saw timely hits.
The Spartans have been outscored 57-18 in this four game skid.
“We are searching for a little more offensive for sure, we need more guys,” Sanfilippo said.
During the ninth inning, the Spartans attempted one last rally. A pair of singles and a walk loaded the bases before Fernandes delivered a two-RBi single to cut the deficit to five runs, but the comeback fell short.
“Just some things are beating us, we have to learn and get better tomorrow is another chance.” Sanfilippo said. “What really matters is next week as we head into conference play and playing good teams helps us get better and I think they are pretty good.”
The Spartans look to win their final game of the series against Pittsburgh at 12:05 pm on Sunday at Excite Ballpark to stop the sweep.
