SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. -- Redshirt freshman right-hander Drew Thorpe earned his first win in four weeks and Cal Poly erupted for six runs in the fourth inning to break the game open, coasting to a 10-1 victory over San Jose State in the opener of a three-game non-conference baseball series Thursday night.
The game was the first with fans allowed inside Baggett Stadium this season and all 628 tickets were sold. It also was Larry Lee's 1,000th game as Mustang head coach.
One of 628 Mustang fans has a souvenir.
Thorpe (3-2) allowed one run and four hits over six innings with two walks and six strikeouts. Carlo Lopiccolo, Kaden Sheedy and Chase Walter each pitched a scoreless inning in relief, Lopiccolo striking out a pair of Spartans.
Cal Poly improved to 13-9 with the win while San Jose State fell to 2-3.
Brooks Lee with an over-the-shoulder catch.
After scoring single runs in the first three innings, Cal Poly put up a six spot in the fourth. Four walks and a trio of wild pitches accounted for the first two runs. Matt Lopez doubled to right center for two RBIs, Taison Corio tripled down the left-field line for another RBI and Joe Yorke's groundout to second base capped the rally.
After San Jose State scored its lone run of the game in the top of the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Nelson Padilla, Cal Poly restored the nine-run lead in the bottom of the sixth on Sam Biller's double down the right-field line.
The loss was charged to San Jose State starter Corey Sanchez (0-1) as he allowed three runs (one earned) and two hits over three innings with three walks and a strikeout.
Both teams collected seven hits. Cal Poly, however, was aided by nine walks and four hit betters issued by Spartan pitchers.
Third baseman Nick Marinconz produced his first two hits of the season, both singles, for Cal Poly while San Jose State left fielder Robert Hamchuk continued his torrid start with two singles, his average at .667 with 12 hits in 18 at-bats.
Second game of the series will be played Friday night at 6 with Cal Poly southpaw Andrew Alvarez (3-1, 5.74 ERA) facing San Jose State senior right-hander Spencer Long (1-0, 4.50 ERA). As of Thursday night, about 40 tickets remain for the game Friday.
The series finale will be played Saturday at 1 o'clock.
