Posted at 9:37 p.m., Saturday, March 31, 2007
San Jose State beats Hawaii in baseball, 2-1
Advertiser Staff
Brandon Hennessey pitched five scoreless innings of relief and Donato Giovanatto scored the go-ahead run on a double steal to lead San Jose State over Hawaii, 2-1, Saturday night to clinch the Western Athletic Conference baseball series.Mark Rodrigues (6-2) gave up two runs, six hits and a walk with four strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings for the Rainbows (21-11 overall, 2-3 WAC), who have lost their first conference series since they lost 2 of 3 at Fresno State almost a year ago.
Spartans' starter Spencer Snodgrass was lifted after one-plus innings, allowing a run on two hits. Hennessey allowed two hits and struck out five in his five innings of work for the Spartans (18-11, 3-2). Loren Moneypenny added two scoreless innings for the save.
The Rainbows got on the board first in the bottom of first. With two outs, Justin Frash doubled to right and scored on Brandon Haislet's ground single to center. Kris Sanchez sliced a fly to left, but left fielder Chris Balatico made a diving catch to end the inning.
The Spartans took the lead in the sixth in chasing Rodrigues in the process. Karson Klauer led off with a single before Ryan Angel flied out to deep center. Donato Giovanatto was hit by a pitch before Marcus McKimmy fouled out to the catcher. On a full count with the runners moving, Brian Chase lined a single to right to tie the game at 1 and put runners at the corners. Rodrigues was lifted for Matt Daly. On an 0-1 count, the Spartans executed a double steal with Giovanatto scoring. After a passed ball moved Chase to third, Daly got Sonny Garza to foul out to first to end the inning.
