Sports Story

San Jose State University (SJSU) Spartans defeated University of Pacific (UOP) Tigers in a battle on the softball field and in the stands, where more Spartans sported their pride at the Tigers’ home, Saturday afternoon.

More blue than orange colors swept the stands, as SJSU’s Spartan spirit took over the game, which ended in a defeat of UOP’s felines.

“Spartans do know how to show-off,” said SJSU fan, Joe Bunker, who came to watch his niece play, decked out in blue and yellow apparel. He added that if the fans have spirit, then the players would, too. His interpretation proved to be right.

Despite the never-ending cheering of UOP’s women’s team, nothing could drown out the clapping and yelling of the Spartans in the stands, who never rested, their enthusiasm growing more as their team swiftly moved ahead in the game.

Both pitchers, Chelsea Engle of UOP and Deanna Mauer of SJSU, battled for the win, striving to lead their team to victory through fast, hard pitches.

By the third inning, SJSU had no outs, leading the game 2-1 and by the fifth inning, UOP’s pitcher was switched, making Alyce Jorgensen the new girl on the block.

“She knows how to take control of the game, and she’s a real competitor,” said Jorgensen’s mother. “She doesn’t want to give up.”

And they did not give up, but unfortunately, they could not catch up, either.

Even though the switch proved to be good after a bad play by Engle, which left fans jeering, resulting in one more point for SJSU, it was not enough to land them at the top.

As SJSU fought to keep their lead, UOP strived to see through the clouds of dirt, trekked in by the runners of their opposing team, literally leaving them in the dust when SJSU closed down the battle field with a 3-1 victory, causing Spartan fans in the stands to erupt in applause.

“This is what it’s all about,” said Bunker, a hot dog in one hand and smile on his face, “coming out strong in the end and showing off school colors.”