By Briannah Mcgee – Spear Reporter | Senior Jake McCoy bats out to center for an RBI against Pitt on March 7. (photo by Haddy Barghouti – Spear Photographer)
San Jose State baseball (11-15, 2-3 MW) fell 15–8 to the UNLV Rebels (17-10, 2-3 MW) on Saturday night at Earl E. Wilson Stadium.
Despite an early surge and a late rally, the Spartans were unable to keep pace with UNLV’s explosive offense in the second game of the three-game series.
UNLV had a decisive seven-run inning, aided by four bases-loaded walks to seal the victory.
However, SJSU opened the scoring in the first inning, taking a 2–0 lead behind a double from senior Jake McCoy and capitalizing on wild pitches.
UNLV answered decisively in the third, erupting for five runs on a string of extra-base hits, including consecutive RBI doubles that shifted momentum.
The Spartans gradually fought back, adding single runs in the fifth and sixth innings bringing senior Jake McCoy and senior Neil Jansen home before delivering a strong push in the eighth.
Senior Alex Fernandes provided the highlight with a two-run home run to deep right field,his fourth of the season and capping a four-run inning that briefly tied the game at 8-8 before the 7 runs by UNLV.
SJSU totaled 12 hits but struggled in key moments, striking out 17 times and going just 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position.
On the mound, redshirt junior Peter Herrick took the loss, while senior Kyle Calzadiaz led the pitching staff with five strikeouts.
The Spartans will look to rebound in the series finale Sunday against UNLV tomorrow at 12 p.m. at Earl E. Wilson Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev.
