RENO, Nev. — It was a bittersweet end for San Jose State senior outfielder Chris Balatico.

The 2003 Mililani High graduate's collegiate career ended Saturday night with an 11-9 loss to Nevada in an elimination game of the Western Athletic Conference tournament at Peccole Park. The fourth-seeded Spartans, the second-to-the-last team eliminated, finished 34-26.

Although disappointed his team came up a game short of reaching the tournament championship, Balatico was pleased with his season. He was second on the team in batting with a .350 average, scoring 36 runs and driving in 31. He started in 49 of the team's 57 games, and had 14 doubles, four triples, one home run and 10 steals.

"It was my last year and I made strides, bought into the system," Balatico said. "It took me a year (to adjust) and that shouldn't have happened."

Balatico struggled in his first season at the Division I level after transferring from Hartnell Junior College before the 2006 season. He batted just .197 and played in 40 games, starting in only 13. But he made the adjustment and was prepared for this past season. He had a nice run toward the end when he earned his first WAC Hitter of the Week honor on the final week of the regular season.

Balatico batted 5 for 18 with two doubles and five RBIs in four WAC tournament games, and finished his career with a .310 batting average.

Balatico said he will probably return to Hawai'i for a short visit over the summer. He said he has a job this summer in San Diego, where his mother, Deanna Warren, resides. She attended the tournament. Balatico said he is one semester shy of receiving his sociology degree, which he said he should achieve by December. From there, he isn't sure what he will do or where he will eventually find work.

"I had fun," he said of his college career. "I wouldn't change it for anything. College is supposed to be the best time of your life."

Balatico is one of two Hawai'i players with the Spartans. Freshman infielder Brett Hasegawa (Iolani '06) was mainly a reserve this season. He was not part of the 25-player roster for the tournament.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

TWO 'BOWS HONORED

Hawai'i sophomore catcher Landon Hernandez and freshman outfielder Kevin Macdonald were named to the 10-player WAC all-tournament team.

Hernandez batted .333 (4 for 12) with two home runs and seven RBIs in three games. His second homer forced extra innings in the elimination game against Nevada.

Macdonald batted .500 (6 for 12) with six RBIs in three games. He played most of the time in right field, but spelled second baseman Jon Hee, who subluxed his left shoulder and left the game Saturday.

Also named to the all-tournament team were: Ryan Angel, first base, San Jose State; David Ciarlo, second base, Nevada; Kyle Bellows, shortstop, San Jose State; Jason Rodriguez, third base, Nevada; Brian Lapin, outfield, Fresno State; Loren Storey, outfield, Fresno State; Shaun Kort, DH, Nevada; Clayton Allison, starting pitcher, Fresno State; Matt Renfree, relief pitcher, Nevada.

The Most Valuable Player was Lapin.

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

FRESNO STATE WINS, 17-4

Center fielder Brian Lapin tied a tournament record by hitting three home runs to help top-seeded Fresno State romp second-seeded Nevada, 17-4, yesterday in the WAC tournament championship before 937 at Peccole Park.

Lapin had five homers in four games, tying another tournament record.

The 10-run rule wasn't in effect for the title game, as the Bulldogs jumped to a 10-2 lead after four innings and blew it apart with a six-run top of the seventh. Before the tournament, Lapin hit only four homers.

"My swing just came together this week," said Lapin, who had seven RBIs.

Bulldogs coach Mike Batesole said he seen some outstanding performances in other games, but not in a championship game.

"It's as clutch a performance you could ask for," he said.

FSU starter Brandon Miller (2-3) pitched five innings, allowing two runs (one earned) and six hits. Holden Sprague added three scoreless innings. Closer Jason Breckley gave up two runs, two hits and three walks in the ninth.

Ryan Rodriguez (9-7), who pitched Thursday's opener against UH, started on two days' rest. He was lit up for seven runs and seven hits in two innings as the Wolf Pack finished 35-26.

The champion Bulldogs (36-27) earned the league's automatic regional bid. No other WAC team is expected to get an at-large berth as UH did last year.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.