SAN JOSE, Calif. – The Utah baseball team fell to San Jose State, 9-6, to close out its weekend in Northern California on Monday afternoon.
San Jose State led 3-2 before a five-run fifth inning lifted the Spartans to an 8-3 lead that the Utes struggled to recover from.
Utah was led at the plate by
Wade Gulden, who went 3-for-3 with an RBI and a walk.
Oliver Dunn and
Davis Delorefice each had two hits while
Shea Kramer drove in two runs on a two-run home run.
The Utes used six pitchers, with
Josh Lapiana getting the start and allowing three runs on six hits with one strikeout in the loss over 3 2/3 innings pitched.
Trenton Stoltz,
Riley Pierce and
Spencer Johnson each pitched scoreless innings while
Austin Moore and
Justin Kelly also made appearances.
Although the Utes left two runners on base in the first, it was San Jose State that broke through first with three runs in the second inning off four hits. Utah quickly rallied in the top of the third, for two runs, cutting the lead to 3-2. Demetri Colacchio singled to lead off the inning and after stealing second, scored on an RBI single from
Dominic Foscalina. Foscalina stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch, scoring on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Gulden.
Both teams left two runners on in the fourth and Utah was unable to take advantage of two runners on in the fifth before SJSU broke through with a five-run fifth after six hits, which also included an error.
Utah began its comeback in the sixth inning as Kramer hit his first career home run, a two-run shot to left field after Delorefice singled. The Spartans increased their lead in the bottom of the sixth, 8-4, with a single run after two hits.
Oliver Dunn hit his first career home run to lead off the seventh inning and Utah kept the rally going with three additional hits from Gulden,
Rykker Tom and Delorefice to add another run in the Utes favor, 9-6.
The Utes left the bases loaded in the eighth inning, with the game ending after eight due to travel considerations. Utah and SJSU both stranded 10 runners throughout the game. The Utes had 13 hits, the second most they have had this season.
The Utes head back to California on Friday, March 9, to begin a three-game series against UC Riverside.