San Jose State scores early to defeat Gauchos

San Jose State roughed up UCSB pitcher Matt Vedo for seven runs in 4.2 innings on Saturday, scoring six times in the first two innings, to defeat the Gauchos 7-3 at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium.

A day after compiling 18 hits, SJSU rapped out 14 against six Gaucho pitchers. San Jose State improves to 19-7 overall while the Gauchos fall to 11-11. It was the fifth loss in the last six games for UCSB.

Vedo, who came one out away from throwing a no-hitter two Saturdays ago, was in trouble from the outset. He allowed five hits to the first six Spartans hitters and San Jose State scored four runs in the first inning.

UCSB’s Sean Williams hit his first home run of the season – a three-run blast – in the bottom of the first inning to spark some life into the Gauchos. However, SJSU scored two runs in the second inning on a pair of walks and a pair of singles.

Vedo walked six batters overall on the day.

Williams and Lance Roenicke each had had two hits for the Gauchos.

A bright spot for Santa Barbara was the 2011 debut of left-hander Kevin Gelinas. The highly touted junior, who had to battle some arm troubles each of the last two seasons, pitched a perfect seventh inning, striking out the side.

UCSB concludes its series vs. San Jose State with a 1 p.m. game Sunday.