By Daniel Reedy:
No coach or player will ever — publicly — admit to enjoying having a game rained out, especially when the season is just getting started.
With that said, the cancelled game on Monday gives the Spartans a chance to sort out some of their issues following back-to-back defeats against UCLA; one of which was a 10-1 loss.
As the storm rains down and floods San Jose, the Spartans’ offense is suffering a drought to start the season.
In two games, the Spartans have crossed the plate just three times. They were also no-hit through (at least) the first four innings in both of the games.
UCLA shut down the Spartans’ hitters and allowed SJSU just seven hits; six of those hits came in the first game.
Shane Timmons was and still is expected to be one of SJSU’s top hitters, but has struggled out of the gate. Timmons went 0-8 and struck out four times against the Bruins.
Shortstop Aaron Pleschner is the only Spartan batting above .200 after the pair of games. The returning starter is the only player with more than one hit.
Obviously, it has only been two games — not even close to a legitimate sample size. Additionally, the Spartans entered the season ranked no. 232 in the nation by the NCAA, far below no. 100 UCLA.
Pitcher Matt Brown probably appreciates the day away from the diamond.
Brown had a rough first outing of 2017, allowing three runs and three walks in under five innings. He also plunked four Bruins.
Freshman reliever Jackson Cunningham fared even worse against the Pac-12 powerhouse, conceding five earned runs in less than one inning in his Spartan debut.
Again, the Spartans have only played two games. It is way too early to condemn SJSU.
With Game 3 against UCLA cancelled, the Spartans was given a little more time to prepare for this weekend’s games against Northern Colorado and BYU.