GAME ONE – #5 NEW MEXICO STATE VS. #6 SACRAMENTO STATE
The first game of the second day of the tournament was an elimination game for both teams. Just as the did in their game against Hawai’i, the Aggies struck first via a home run from Colin Crouthamel. Sacramento State would take the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning as Gabe Jacobo homered to lead off the scoring for the Hornets. Sacramento State would plate two more runs in the inning to take a 3-1 lead. New Mexico State answered with two runs to tie the game 3-3 but could have had a much bigger inning as Marcus Quade grounded into an inning ending double play. Sacramento State answered the two Aggie runs with three more runs to retake the lead 6-3 and would add two more runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to stretch their lead to 8-3. New Mexico State would attempt to rally scoring runs in the eighth and ninth innings and had the tying run at the plate in Marcus Quade but Quade grounded into his second inning ending double play of the game as the season ended for New Mexico State.
Tyler Sturdevant picks up the loss for the Aggies as he pitched 4.1 innings and gave up six runs. Tommy Elrod picks up the win for the Hornets as he pitched 3.1 innings in relief of Brian Smith. Elrod gave up just one run.
New Mexico State finishes the season at 28-33 overall. Their 15 conference wins are three more than the previous two seasons, their first two in the WAC, combined. Sacramento State staves off elimination and will play at 3:00 p.m. CDT against Nevada game in an elimination game for both teams.
GAME TWO – #1 FRESNO STATE VS. #4 SAN JOSE STATE
Fresno State scored three runs in the first inning to give starting pitcher Clayton Allison a lead to work with. Allison would protect the lead until San Jose State scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to tie the game at three. Fresno State would regain the lead in the top of the seventh taking a 6-3 lead and would add an insurance run in the next inning. Brandon Burke picked up his ninth save of the season pitching the final 1.2 innings of the game facing four batters. Burke ended a San Jose State threat in the bottom of the eighth inning getting San Jose State center fielder Jason Martin to ground into an inning ending double play.
San Jose State finishes their season at 31-25. Fresno State will face Hawai’i at 11:00 a.m. CDT.
GAME THREE – #2 HAWAI’I VS. #3 NEVADA
Hawai’i scored 11 runs in the first four innings en route to a 14-5 victory over Nevada in the nightcap. Jeff Van Doornum hit two home runs and Brandon Haislet added another for Hawai’i. Joshua Schneider picked up the win for the Warriors going 7.1. innings. Kyle Howe picked up the loss for the Wolf Pack as he only pitched 1.2 innings giving up six runs.
Hawai’i will face Fresno State in a battle of the tournament’s only remaining undefeated teams while Nevada will face Sacramento State in an elimination game for both teams.
