Second-seeded Louisiana Tech missed its pitching depth and was eliminated yesterday in a 14-3 loss to top-seed San Jose State at the NAPA Auto Parts Western Athletic Conference baseball tournament at Les Murakami Stadium.

The Bulldogs (29-22) started the tournament with an exciting 4-3 win over No. 5 Hawai'i on a two-run walk-off homer. But Louisiana Tech lost to No. 4 New Mexico State, 6-5, in a game that ended shortly before 10 p.m. on Friday night before having to return yesterday for an 11 a.m. game against San Jose State. Combined with the travel and a depleted pitching lineup, Louisiana Tech coach Wade Simoneaux said "it's hard to come back and play a morning game."

"We knew we had to win last night to have a chance to win the tournament," Simoneaux said. "Missing four pitchers on our staff, we had three injuries and one had to stay home to take final exams, we didn't have the pitching depth to come back through the loser's bracket."

The Bulldogs used five pitchers yesterday — two redshirt freshmen, a redshirt sophomore, a sophomore and freshman in a game that was called after seven innings.

Kyle Bellows and Corey Valine each batted 3-for-4 for the Spartans (41-19) and John Shaffer homered and drove in four runs.

"We did a good job offensively," San Jose State coach Sam Piraro said. "I got to give our guys credit. We really kept the pressure on. We had some really good at-bats to allow us a couple of innings and they made a couple mistakes and we were able to pounce on those mistakes."

The Spartans broke the game open in the fifth inning, capitalizing with the bases loaded. After a single, error and walk loaded the bases, Anthony Bona and Anthony Aguilera had RBI singles.

After a force out at home, Jason Martin walked with the bases loaded and Shaffer followed with a two-run double to center that extended the Spartans' lead to 9-1.

Reach Stanley Lee at sktlee@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2451.

SAN JOSE ST. 202 050 5—14 16 0

LOUISIANA TECH 100 020 0— 3 6 2

Jack Adams, Anthony Vega (6) and Anthony Aguilera. Mike Jefferson, Casey Jones (3), Mike LeBreton (5), Cody Watts (6), Kyle Roliard (7) and Clint Ewing. W — Adams (4-1). L — Jefferson (3-3).

Leading hitters — San Jose State: John Shaffer 2-3, double, home run, 4 RBIs; Kyle Bellows 3-4, double; Corey Valine 3-4, 3 RBIs; Anthony Bona 2-2; Craig Hertler 2-2, triple, 3 RBIs; Jacob Bruns double; Michael Reiling double. Louisiana Tech: Clint Ewing home run, 2 RBIs; Patrick Thomas double; Chris Kersten double.