SAN JOSE, Calif. - A four-run first inning by San Jose State was enough as the Santa Clara baseball team dropped the opening game of the series, 4-2, tonight on the road at Municipal Stadium.
After failing to draw first blood, Santa Clara gave up all four of its runs in the first inning. Spartan lead-off man Craig Hertler hit a triple to get things going for SJSU and the Spartans went on to put up three runs with two outs already on the board in the inning.
The Broncos scored their first run in the seventh inning when Justin Viele executed a bunt-single to bring senior Curtis Wagner across the plate.
In the eighth, Wagner doubled off Spartan reliever Zach Jones to score freshman Zach Looney, halving San Jose State's lead.
Jones got help from his defense to retire three straight in the top of the ninth to end the game.
Santa Clara starting pitcher Brock Simon (1-2) went 6.1 innings allowing four runs on nine hits and striking out three. Freshman Max Deering and redshirt junior Joe Supple each pitched 0.1 innings, facing two batters each. Junior James Smith relieved Supple in the eighth and with the help of his defense retired three in a row.
SJSU starter Blake McFarland pitched seven complete inning and picked up his second win. Jones was credited with the save.
The two teams meet again tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Stephen Schott Stadium on the Mission Campus in game two of the series.
