By Sergio Valencia:
San Jose State started hot but ended cold in 8-4 loss to conference foe San Diego State Friday night at Municipal stadium.
It was little of the same old song for the Spartans who got off to a great start, taking a 3-0 lead in the third inning only to give up their lead in the fifth inning after allowing errors.
“Sometimes we just lose sight of that and we get a little caught up in what’s happening in the game,” said junior Shane Timmons, “Situationally if they put up a three spot we get caught up in that and kind lose faith a little bit.”
That lack of faith was was evident in the fifth inning when starting pitcher Matt Brown lost control of his pitches and hit two batters and walked another two, allowing SDSU to score three runs while only recording one hit in the inning.
Brown pitched well through four innings, he did not allow any hits till the one in fifth inning but those errant throws forced him off the mound.
“Brown was as good as he’s ever been for four innings and just kind of unraveled on them a little bit,” said head coach Jason Hawkins.
The Spartans would hold a lead one more time before the night when Timmons banged one over the left wall for his career-high eighth home run of the season.
“I’m not really a big stat guy,” said Timmons, “But it feels good to know that I could do that on any count, any at bat, just knowing I have the ability to do that brings confidence to the plate every time I go up there.”
San Diego would own the remainder of the night, having their way with SJSU’s bullpen, scoring five more runs before the night was over. Ending their night with a total of eight hits and eight runs.
“I think later in the game we got a little complacent and kind of gave away some events,” junior Matt Brown said.
The loss drops SJSU to 15-28-1 overall and 8-15-1 in conference and bumps SDSU to 32-15 overall and 15-7 in the Mountain West.
The Spartans still have two more chances to take down SDSU this weekend and will have to if they want to earn the fourth spot in the Mountain West Tournament.
Game 2 begins at 4 p.m. at Municipal stadium.