March 7, 2009

Box Score

Stockton, Calif. - Pacific's 9-3 loss to San Jose State on Saturday, March 7 ensures the Spartans a series win as the two teams wrapped up the Stockton portion of their three-game series.

With the loss, Pacific dropped to 3-6 on the year, while San Jose State improved to 8-0. RHP Tye Davis (Marysville, Calif.) took the loss, as LHP Max Peterson earned his second win for the Spartans.

For the second-consecutive day, San Jose State jumped out on the board first, scoring one run in the top of the second inning with two outs in the frame. Pacific then responded in the bottom of the second.

Senior right fielder Mike McKeever (San Diego, Calif.) (.345 average, 2-for-4) started off the inning when he laced a single up the middle of the diamond. With a 2-2 pitch count, senior catcher Kurt Wideman (Fallbrook, Calif.) (..312 average, 1-for-4, 1 home run, 2 RBI) cleared the bases with a shot that the wind helped carry over the outfield fence in left center. Pacific then recorded two quick outs when sophomore second baseman J.B. Brown lined out to shallow center field, followed up by junior designated hitter Jamie Niley (Elk Grove, Calif.) striking out at the plate. With two outs, junior Mike Walker (Marysville, Calif.) (.314 average, 2-for-3) kept the inning alive by sparking a single up the middle. But Pacific had to settle with two runs, as junior shortstop Scott Isbell (Carlsbad, Calif.) popped up to left field to end the inning. After two innings, the Tigers jumped ahead 2-1 in the game.

After the Spartans plated three runs in the third, both teams struck again in the fifth. San Jose State's hitters Kyle Bellows and Danny Stienstra were able to find gaps in Pacific's defense to single and score one run, bringing the game to 5-2 in the Spartans' favor.

Pacific's final comeback attempt came in the bottom of the fifth inning. Walker started off the inning with a double down the right field line. Isbell advanced his runner to third base on a sacrifice bunt. With one out, senior first baseman Joey Centanni (San Diego, Calif.) took his turn at a sacrifice, scoring Walker on a sacrifice fly to left field. Down to one final out in the inning, senior left fielder Joe Oliveira (San Diego, Calif.) swung on a third strike to close out the inning.

Over the next three innings, San Jose State's pitcher, Peterson and the closer Luke Mazzanti held the Tigers scoreless with only two hits. Using that momentum on defense, the Spartans chipped in four more runs in the top of the ninth for a final score of 9-3.

Pacific and San Jose State conclude their series at San Jose State on Sunday, March 8. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.