By Marissa Scott – Managing Editor
The San Jose State baseball team came out swinging in their doubleheader sweep, 8-5 and 4-3, against Santa Clara to open up its season.
Freshman left fielder James Shimashita’s combined six RBIs on the day boosted the Spartans (2-0) and secured their series win over the Broncos (0-2).
“It was just any other game,” Shimashita said. “I know it was my first college game but I didn’t really think too highly of it. I just tried to stay as calm as possible.”
In the first game, the Spartans got on the board in the first inning after a bases-loaded double by Shimashita to send all three runners home. Junior center fielder Kellen Strahm hit into a fielder’s choice to give them a 4-0 lead.
The freshman played hero again in the fifth inning after a bases-clearing single, thanks to a Broncos error that allowed three more runs to score.
Senior left hander Andrew Mitchel took the mound in the first game and came in just as he finished last season, striking batters out. He pitched four shutout innings and struck out four batters.
“It felt good, I mean I felt a little rusty,” Mitchel said. “Preseason is when we find out what we need to work on and we work on that until conference starts.”
Despite a four-run sixth inning for the Broncos, the Spartans secured their 8-5 win for the first game of the doubleheader.
SJSU had its second first-inning lead of the day after a sacrifice fly put the team up 1-0. Shimashita added another RBI to his afternoon after hitting into a fielder’s choice to give the Spartans a 2-0 lead in the fourth.
Senior right hander Tevin Cadola got the win in his five innings of work, giving up 2 earned runs and striking out four batters.
Santa Clara took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the same inning with freshman designated hitter Matt Jew’s second solo home run of the day and another solo shot by freshman shortstop Dawson Brigman.
An RBI-single by Shimashita tied up the game in the sixth and junior third baseman Troy Viola knocked in another run to solidify the Spartans second win of the day 4-3.
Junior designated hitter Blake Berry went 3-for-4 with two runs scored in the second game of the doubleheader.
“Obviously we weren’t perfect but we had a lot of good stuff today,” head coach Brad Sanfilippo said.
The Spartans look to sweep the series against the Broncos Monday at 2:30 p.m. in Stephen Schott Stadium.
Follow Marissa on Twitter @marissascotttt
