MAR 23 – The Spartans (12-8, 1-2 MW) hosted Air Force (7-13, 2-1 MW) in their 2nd MW series of the season, looking to improve upon their 1-2 conference record. Nolan George got his first start of the series, looking to get back on track after a hiccup in his last appearance, allowing 2 runs in 1 inning of work at San Diego. The offense, meanwhile, was looking to continue their high pace and catch up to the rest of the conference in all major categories. SJSU had a chance to do both against the Falcons, who haven’t been doing too well in the current campaign. The Falcons entered the series 7-13 overall with a 0-10 record on the road.
Believe it or not, both George and the offense went absolutely crazy. The offense exploded for 14 runs on 14 hits, while George pitched a complete game, notching 7 strikeouts and allowing 1 run on 2 hits across 7 innings. Combined, these performances resulted in a mercy rule victory for SJSU. The bats exploded for 11 runs in the first two innings, and never looked back.
- Jake McCoy went 3-3 with 3 RBIs.
- Rocco Caballero was 2-4 at the dish, plating 4 runs across.
- Jeriah Lewis grabbed a 2-4 performance with 2 RBIs.
- Neil Jansen even recorded an inside-the-park home run after hitting a grand slam two days prior.
Whatever you call this type of play, it didn’t stop on Saturday. The Spartans grabbed a second consecutive mercy rule victory, scoring 14 runs yet again. For the second game in a row, SJSU put up a 4 spot in the first inning as well. Additionally for the second game in a row, every batter for the Spartans notched at least one hit.
- The leading hitter in this game was Lewis, who went 3-4 with a 2-RBI home run in the 3rd inning, his 4th of the season. Lewis also finished a triple shy of the cycle.
- Zach Chamizo recorded 2 RBI doubles, going 2-4 at the plate.
- Both McCoy and Caballero also went 2-4 at the plate with 2 RBIs. For McCoy, that’s now his 6th multi-RBI game of the season.
- David Thomas got the start in this one, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits across 6.1 IP. Thomas got his first win of the season. In relief, Brady Pavlovsky and Cade Cushing came in to shut the door on the game and end the contest in a 14-3 victory in the 7th.
In the final game on Sunday, the Spartans finally came down to Earth, plating just 2 runs across the entire game. However, the pitching continued to prove why it was the best in the conference, allowing no runs and just 2 hits.
- Win Scott kept true to his namesake by earning his 3rd of the season, striking out a career-high 10 batters while just giving up one walk.
- Tyler Albanese notched his 3rd save of the season in 2 IP of relief, allowing no hits and striking out four. Both pitchers combined struck out nearly half of all the batters faced (14/30).
- Chamizo yet again had a great day at the plate, going 3-4 with an RBI. Alex Fernandes notched the remaining RBI on a 1-3 day that doesn’t include a walk. Fernandes has now reached base safely in all 23 games this season.
The Spartans dominated the Falcons on all aspects of the diamond. They’ll look to carry this momentum into tomorrow night’s matchup at the Sunken Diamond, where they’ll take on Sasaki and the Cardinal at 2:05 PST. The following day the Spartans take on the University of Pacific, before hosting Fresno State over the weekend. We’ll have coverage for that and more, here on 90.5 KSJS.
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