The San Jose State baseball team fell 6-4 to Creighton University on Sunday at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
Sunday’s loss was the second in a three-game series against the Bluejays. The game was scheduled as a replacement for an initial series against the University of Nevada, Las Vegas that was canceled on April 14 because of positive coronavirus tests within the UNLV program and coronavirus protocols regarding contact tracing.
The Spartans (3-7) fought hard seeking another season victory following their March 30 series against Cal Poly where they won 10-2. Creighton (11-7) was up 4 runs as senior
right-handed pitcher Spencer Long (2-1) started on the mound for SJSU.
It wasn’t until the top of the fifth inning when the Spartans picked up momentum after outfielder James Shimashita scored a triple through a strong swing out to deep center field, ran all the way to third base and earned his first hit of the season.
Shimashita is the first batter to hit a triple for the team in 18 innings.
He was an exceptional game leader against Creighton with 2 runs and 2 hits in 3 total at-bats.
The Spartans scored their first run of the game off of a RBI from infielder Ruben Mercado as he took first base one at-bat later.
SJSU Catcher Andrew Jurado advanced two players into scoring position after the Bluejays tagged him out on a fair ball at the top of the fifth.
A sacrifice fly to center field from freshman infielder Jackson Forbes allowed the Spartans to score their second run of the night as Mercado ran home. The side retired with the Spartans at a 2-run deficit.
Forbes entered his first season with the Spartans after transferring from San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, California where he earned 11 RBIs and
28 runs scored. He led the team in RBIs on Sunday with 3 in total and finished the game with 1 hit in 2 at-bats.SJSU picked up the pace and showed potential for a comeback.
The Spartans were on top of their defense for the bottom of the fifth inning.
Tensions were high as the Bluejays had a runner in scoring position with two outs left before the Spartans could return to the offensive.
SJSU senior outfielder Jack Colette caught a ball as the third out and the side retired with no new runs for Creighton.
SJSU was trailing 5-2 at the top of the seventh. Both Shimashita and Mercado safely headed to first base after two consecutive
hit-by-pitches from Creighton left-handed pitcher Ryan Cowdrey.
Utility player Reece Hernandez bunted an infield ball and was tagged out on first base which allowed the runners to move into scoring position.
Forbes proved just how valuable he is to the Spartans once again with an impressive deep center triple that allowed the Spartans to close the Bluejays lead to 1 run.
Despite the strong efforts from Shimashita, Forbes and Mercado, the Spartans were unable to overtake the Bluejays.
SJSU sophomore relief pitcher Corey Sanchez was unable to earn a save in the final three innings and Creighton scored the game’s last run at the bottom of the seventh.
The score remained 6-4 at the top of the ninth and with no new runs for the Spartans, the game finished with a total of 11 hits from the Bluejays compared to 6 hits for the Spartans.
Because of weather conditions in Omaha, the final game in the series against Creighton that was scheduled to take place on Monday was canceled the same day. The Spartans are scheduled to play Fresno State at home on Friday at 6 p.m.
