MAY 17 – After a white-hot start to the season that saw them atop the conference, a second-half slump that nearly cost the Spartans a trip to the postseason. If you’ve been keeping up with the baseball program, then you know every series mattered, beginning with the homestand against the Aztecs back in April. From that point forward, SJSU has been playing a very dangerous game, fighting off various foes for the last spot in the Mountain West tournament. Despite dropping crucial games to the likes of SDSU, UNLV, New Mexico, and even Nevada, the Spartans somehow managed to hang on (with some help, of course).
Entering the final series of regular season play, the Spartans sat at 12-15 (in conference play) at 5th. However, they were also tied with Air Force, and just 1 game ahead of both Washington State and SDSU. Like many instances this season, SJSU controlled their own destiny. In the first two contests, they were unable to provide an answer to Nevada’s stellar pitching, being held hitless through both games. In the same span, the Aztecs won both games in their series against the Cougars, while the Falcons dropped both to the Rebels. Heading into the final game of the season, the Spartans sat in the 6th and final spot of the postseason bracket, still tied with Air Force at 12-17 (but holding the last berth because of a better overall record). In order to clinch, SJSU needed one of two scenarios to occur: (1) a win vs Nevada, or (2) another Air Force loss to UNLV. Either would secure them a spot in Mesa. A 6th seed was best-case scenario; anything better would not be possible, as it would require SDSU to lose their Saturday game, which would mean an Air Force win, thus leading to no postseason for SJSU.
The early stages of Saturday were looking quite dicey for the Spartans. At the end of 3, things were all tied up at 2 apiece in San Jose. In Las Vegas, the Falcons had shockingly moved to a 7-2 lead. On the brink of elimination, the Spartans’ offense came through clutch. SJSU put up a six-spot in the 5th inning, headlined by a Jeriah Lewis 2-run shot. San Jose State never looked back, as they eventually went on to win 10-2. Before the contest ended, Air Force ended up surrendering their lead and dropping their game to the Rebels, automatically clinching a berth for the Spartans.
The affair featured a multitude of spectacular performances, and no better day to happen than on Senior Day! Lewis’s team-leading 11th round-tripper of the season was part of a 2-5 showing at the plate. Jake McCoy went 3-4 at the plate, including a solo shot that gave him 9 on the season, second only to Lewis. Zach Tallerman joined in on the fun with his 4th of the season, going 2-4 at the plate. Alex Fernandes drove in two runs as well, capping off a 2-4 day at the dish. On the mound, Kyle Calzadiaz was absolutely brilliant, going the farthest he has ever gone in a game this season. Across 8 innings of work, he allowed 7 hits, struck out 7 and gave up no free bases en route to his second win of the season. To close the contest in the 9th, it was none other than Tyler Albanese in his team-leading 19th appearance.
An up-and-down regular season comes to an end today, and how fortunate are we to be in the universe where SJSU ends up where they belong: the Mountain West tournament. This marks the 4th straight year the Spartans have made it to the dance. On Wednesday, they must tango with the #3 seed Lobos. Both teams met in late April, back in Albuquerque where the Lobos took 2 out of 3, averaging 18.6 runs per game across the series. Although a title seems unlikely, I urge you to remember crazier things have happened. Just last year SJSU pulled off an incredible Cinderella run, knocking off #1 seed Air Force on their way to the final against Fresno State. We’ll just have to wait until Wednesday to see how it all unfolds.
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