By Marissa Scott
A four hit, five RBI game for Johnny Mendoza led San Jose State baseball to a 6-4 win over San Diego State Sunday.
The Spartans (23-27, 13-14 MW) split the series with the Aztecs (35-17, 17-10 MW) and remained tied for third place in the Mountain West standings with UNLV.
The sophomore hit a game winning two-run single in extra innings with the bases loaded to win the game for the Spartans. Over the four-game series, the catcher went 8-for-15 with 11 RBIs.
In the fifth inning, he hit the second home run of his college career with a two run bomb to give the Spartans a 4-2 lead. Mendoza hit his first home run the day before in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader.
SJSU took an early 2-0 lead after an RBI single in the first by Mendoza and an RBI double in the second by junior second baseman Sawyer Pittman.
The Aztecs responded by scoring one run each in the third and fourth innings to knot the game at two runs apiece.
After Mendoza’s two-run home run, SDSU’s senior right fielder Chase Calabuig smacked a solo shot to center field followed shortly by an RBI single to tie the game 4-4 in the seventh frame.
Spartans junior right hander Tevin Cadola tied his season longest outing with seven strong innings while giving up four runs.
Junior right hander Fineas Del Bonta-Smith (4-3) got the win after he pitched a shutout eighth and ninth innings. The junior handed the ball to freshman left hander Wesley Clawson who snagged his 6th save of the season.
The series split gives the Spartan a five series streak where they have won or tied.
Looking to carry their winning momentum into their last week of regular season play, SJSU will head to Moraga, Calif. on Tuesday to face St. Mary’s College.
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