Updated at 3:58 p.m., Thursday, May 24, 2007
WAC baseball tourney: Balatico leads San Jose State
Advertiser Staff
RENO, Nev. — Chris Balatico, a Mililani High graduate, drove in three runs, to help fourth-seeded San Jose State beat third-seeded Louisiana Tech, 11-1, in the second game of the Western Athletic Conference tournament today at Peccole Park. The game was called after seven innings because of the tournament's 10-run differential mercy rule.The Spartans (33-24) will play the winner of tonight's Hawai'i-Nevada at 4 p.m., Hawai'i time tomorrow. The Bulldogs (35-23) will play top-seeded Fresno State at 8 a.m., HST tomorrow.
Balatico drove in the first run of the game with a double to center that scored Marcus McKimmy from first. Balatico also had a two-run single in the sixth that made the 10-run differential.
It was the Spartans sixth win in their last seven games. They swept a three-game series at New Mexico State May 11 to 13 and were coming off a series in which they took 2 of 3 from second-seeded Nevada.
"It's just everything coming together," said Balatico, who was 2 for 5. "We've been battling team issues all year. It's just now everybody's stepped it up. When everybody steps up, we're dangerous."
The Bulldogs learned first hand how dangerous. Tech starter Luke Burnett (5-8) was tatooed for eight runs (seven earned) in 3 2/3 innings. First baseman Ryan Angel also contributed to the 14-hit assault with a 4-for-5 game, driving in three runs, too. He had a two-run home run in a three-run fourth.
Scott Sobczak (6-2) went the distance for the Spartans, allowing a run, six hits and a walk with two strikeouts.
Balatico said his mother, Deanna Warren, was at the game. She made the trip from San Diego, where she resides now, Balatico said.
