By Alex Stoev (@alexstoevsjsu) – Spear Reporter | Junior Tyler Albanese pitching versus the University of Pittsburgh (Photo by Haddy Barghouti – Spear Photographer)
San Jose State baseball (4-11, 0-0 MW) failed to end its losing streak against the University of Pittsburgh (12-2, 0-0 ACC) falling short 3-2 on Sunday.
While down 3-0 in the bottom of the eighth inning, momentum shifted after senior right fielder Alex Fernandes hit a rocket to right field for a home run, cutting the lead to 3-1.
Redshirt junior third baseman Alan Ramirez shortly after would hit an RBI double to bring freshman second baseman Peyton Rowles home, trimming the Panthers’ lead 3-2.
From there the Panthers’ pitching got back into gear to slam the door on the Spartans’ comeback.
Fernandes made a strong impact for the Spartans’ batting, going 3-for-5 at the plate, stealing a base and his single home run would be the first one for him this season.
“You know it always feels good to get the first one out of the way,” Fernandes said. “Hopefully a few more in the next few weeks, you know just keep going up there and taking good at-bats and see what I can do with that.”
Fernandes came close to scoring multiple runs, but SJSU’s offense was unable to capitalize on several opportunities.
“I just kind of try and go at it and you know just make sure everybody’s doing their jobs,” Fernandes said. “I trust the guys behind me in the lineup to get me home and you know sometimes it happens sometimes it doesn’t.”
The pitching showed massive improvement in this game. After giving up 33 runs on 35 hits in the first two games against the Panthers, SJSU pitchers gave up only three runs on five hits.
It was highlighted by senior pitcher Dylan Smith’s composure to stay locked in after giving up a two-run homer in the top of the first inning.
“It comes down to having faith in our pitching coach and the pitches were throwing,” Smith said. “I think he knows a lot more than we all do and if we trust him with what he’s got for us, then we’re gonna have success.”
“I just asked them to show up with good energy and effort and I think we did that,” SJSU head coach Brad Sanfilippo said. “Obviously that’s a good offensive team over there and they made us pay.”
With how the pitching rotation with Smith, junior Tyler Albanese and senior EJ McGrew played during the game, Sanfilippo isn’t ruling out the opportunity of the group pitching together more in the future.
“Obviously Dylan pitched the ball very well, EJ is a weapon and Tyler is one of the better closers in the country, he’s a weapon,” Sanfilippo said. “We have enough good arms to where we can get to conference, we just have to figure it out.”
The Spartans will look to end their five game losing streak against the University of California, Berkeley at 6:05 p.m. on Tuesday at Excite Ballpark.
