Nick Grunenwald

April 18, 2008

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Louisiana Tech could not figure out San Jose State starter David Berner and Bulldog pitching surrendered 14 hits as Tech lost its eighth straight game, 11-1, at Municipal Stadium in San Jose.

The Bulldogs (15-19, 2-13 WAC) now drop to 0-9 on the road in conference play and continue to languish at the bottom of the league standings. San Jose State (18-16, 9-11 WAC) remains ahead of the Bulldogs in the standings, now a full 4.5 games clear of Tech.

Alex Richard (0-1) got his first career start, and it was rocky from the start. The sophomore righthander gave up three runs in the first inning and lasted only 3.1 innings, giving up eight runs - seven earned - on 10 hits while also surrendering five walks and striking out only two. Mike LeBreton went 2.1 innings in relief, giving up three runs on four hits.

San Jose starter David Berner (2-5), on the other hand, had one of his best outings of the season, pitching a complete game and striking out nine while scattering five hits.

Five different Bulldogs had Tech's five hits with Adam Cobb, Nick Grunenwald, Chris Kersten, Albie Goulder and Jonathan Mire each with one apiece. Grunenwald also stole two bases in the contest and now stands second in the WAC in that category.

The Spartans jumped on Richard early, ripping two straight doubles in the first inning to grab a quick 2-0 lead. Two batters later, a single from Danny Stienstra brought in another run, and Tech trailed 3-0 after one.

Richard appeared to have escaped the second unscathed, but a two-out throwing error allowed the Spartans to score an unearned run and take a 4-0 lead through two innings.

After a scoreless third for both squads, Chris Kersten roped a one-out offering from Berner over the right-center wall for a solo home run, his seventh of the season, to put Tech on the board at 4-1.

But the Spartans kept pounding the ball, scoring four in the fourth and three more in the fifth to take an 11-1 lead. Tech left runners on base in the sixth and seventh innings, but could not push one across to prevent being run-ruled for the fourth time this season.

The two teams will get together again on Saturday for a doubleheader at Municipal Stadium. The first game begins at 1 p.m. local time (3 p.m. Central) with the second game to follow approximately 45 minutes after the conclusion of game one. Fans can catch all the action on ESPN 97.7 FM or on the web at www.espn977.com.