SAN JOSE, Calif. - A pair of runs for San Jose State in the eighth inning proved to be the difference on Friday afternoon as the Diamond 'Dogs dropped their Mountain West opener to the Spartans, 5-3 at Excite Ballpark.
Fresno State (5-4, 0-1 MW) tallied eight hits in the contest and jumped out in front by a pair of runs early, but were unable to hold off San Jose State (3-4, 1-0 MW).
Nikoh Mitchell and Tyler Davis both notched two hits apiece while Tommy Hopfe and Ben Newton each laced doubles.
On the mound, left-hander Ixan Henderson went five innings allowing four hits, three earned runs, walked a pair and stuck out seven.
Jack Anker and Trevor Garcia came out of the bullpen with Anker throwing an inning and Garcia tossing two innings allowing three hits, two runs and struck out three as he took his first loss of the season.
How It Happened
Scoring first for the seventh time this season, the 'Dogs took a 1-0 lead in the first inning with Newton coming home to score after Grady Morgan bounced into a double play.
The 'Dogs added to their lead in the third on an RBI single to center by Morgan that drove home Mitchell for a 2-0 lead.
A two-run home run in the bottom half of the inning by Jack Colette knotted the game at two apiece through three innings.
SJSU took a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning with a solo home run by James Shimashita, but the 'Dogs tied the game at three in the sixth thanks to an RBI single through the right side from Davis that scored Hopfe.
After a scoreless seventh inning for both sides, the Spartans took a 5-3 advantage with a two-run RBI single up the middle off Garcia.
Travis Welker drew a two-out walk in the ninth to bring the tying run to the plate, but Newton flew out to center to end the contest.
Up next
The Bulldogs and Spartans will play game two of the series on Saturday at 1:05 p.m.