2008 Woodie Awards
Spartans blow early lead, lose late to Stanford
Julian J. Ramos, Daily Senior Staff Writer
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That was until San Jose State University reliever Andy Cook (1-2) began to unravel and the Cardinal hitters began to show why they are one of the top teams in the nation.
With two outs, two runners on base and SJSU (26-12) leading 4-1, Stanford designated hitter Jason Cooper smacked Cook's 1-1 pitch for the game-tying home run.
After Cooper's game-tying homer, Spartan head coach Sam Piraro went to his bullpen and inserted Don Gemmell.
However, Gemmell couldn't close the door on Stanford (23-7). Two batters later, Cardinal pinch hitter Danny Putnam doubled home right fielder Carlos Quentin for the go-ahead run.
Piraro said the Spartans had dominated the game to that point, but couldn't get the out to end the inning.
"They showed tremendous plate discipline," Piraro said of Stanford. "We couldn't stop them from getting the guy they wanted to get to the plate."
The Spartans jumped to a 1-0 lead in the second inning when right fielder Travis Becktel singled home catcher Adam Shorsher from second base.
The lead was erased on the first pitch of the bottom of the inning when Quentin drove SJSU starter Mike Malott's first pitch to left-center field and off the outfield scoreboard for a home run.
The Spartans regained the lead with two runs in the top of third inning. Gabe Lopez started off the inning with a single and scored when designated hitter Hector Zamora doubled to deep right field. Zamora scored later that inning on a hit by catcher Adam Shorsher.
Zamora led all Spartans with two RBIs on two hits in three appearances at the plate.
Cook entered the game in the sixth inning, up until that point, three SJSU pitchers, Malott, Frank Esposito, and Mike Dorsa had held the Cardinal to one run on two hits.
