MAY 24 – After a narrow battle for the last spot in the tournament, the Spartans entered Wednesday in Mesa, Arizona, looking to make some magic happen. To the average fan, it may have seemed that they didn’t have much of a chance; the Spartans would begin tournament play in a win-or-go-home game against the #3 Lobos. If they make it past New Mexico, they would compete against #1 Nevada, #2 Fresno State, and the winner of the other win-and-you’re-in game in a double-elimination tournament for the crown. The Spartans, for some reason, under Coach Brad Sanfilippo have been a completely different team in the postseason. In 2022, they entered as the #3 seed in the 4-team tournament and made it all the way to the championship. In 2023, they of course ended up winning the whole thing. Last year, in the same position as in 2022, the Spartans managed to defeat #2 New Mexico and #1 Air Force on their way to the championship.
This week, they face a much more challenging path in Sloan Park. For the first time in a few years, they find themselves as the underdogs. A lot of folks don’t hold high opinions of the current roster. After all, they underwent a complete overhaul in the offseason. In fact, this team was picked to finish last in the standings in a pre-season poll. Yet, they managed to find themselves in a position to make it back to the NCAA regionals.
The first hurdle was certainly not easy. In the first game of the tournament on Wednesday, the Spartans would have to take down #2 New Mexico, and if not, that would be the end of the season. These two played earlier in the season in Alberquerque. The Spartans managed to grab the last game of the series in a 14-12 thriller. However, in the other two games they gave up 44 total runs. Given the results, not many saw the Spartans staying the night.
Well, what do you know? The Spartans did what they do best in the postseason, and took down the Lobos in a 6-3 win. After allowing an average of 19.33 runs per game against New Mexico, the duo of EJ McGrew and Nolan George held the Cherry and Silver to just three. Tyler Albanese came in and shut the door for the 8th time this season. On the offensive side, it was a 4-run inning propelled by Neil Jansen and Jake Maroney in the 4th that gave the Spartans the lead.
Their next game would be on Thursday against the Bulldogs. A loss wouldn’t be the end of the world, but it would make the trek more difficult. In the regular season, SJSU was 3-3 against their longtime rivals. Despite a better record of success compared to their previous opponent, it wouldn’t be enough as they dropped that one 7-3. There wasn’t much they could do against Jack Anker, who recently earned 1st team All-MW honors. Regardless, this loss dropped them into the loser’s bracket. Now, their next foe would be San Diego State, who dropped their game to Nevada.
The #5 seeded Aztecs gave up 15 runs in their contest to the Wolfpack. With their backs against the wall, they looked to knock the Spartans out of the tournament on Friday. This was the more difficult matchup the Spartans had faced up to date, believe it or not. In the regular season, they went 1-5 against SDSU. Overall, we can change that record to 2-5. The Spartans were able to fend off a late-inning push and win in a 7-6 affair. Albanese yet again put a stop to that, notching his 9th save of the season. Alex Fernandes did what he did best, going 3-5 and scoring 2 runs (his 7th 3-hit performance of the season). Jeriah Lewis also played to his strengths, launching his 12th no-doubter of the season.
The Spartans couldn’t celebrate too much. Just a few hours later into the late Friday night (10 pm PST, to be exact), they would have to take on #1 Nevada. Nevada, who beat the Aztecs the day before, dropped their earlier contest to Fresno State. This meant that the Bulldogs clinched a spot in the championship. Their opponent? The winner of this contest.
This contest went well past midnight and into Saturday. It took 10 innings, but the Spartans did it again and pulled off the upset against the regular-season champs. Kyle Calzadiaz would get the call for this game. His last start was also against Nevada in the final game of the season, where he allowed just 1 run across 8 innings. Calzadiaz picked up right where he left off, allowing 2 runs across 6.2 IP and striking out 7. Albanese finished the next 3 frames, slamming the door shut in the 10th for his 10th save of the season, as well as sending the Spartans to the championship game. The 2nd team All-MW closer sent a clear message: he should’ve been on the 1st team. Rocco Caballero, who also earned 2nd team honors, led the charge with a 3-6 performance at the plate. Jansen ended up scoring the winning run in the top of the 10th via a wild pitch.
So, can you believe it? This program continues its mysterious dominance in the postseason, now making their 4th consecutive championship. After struggling all season, the Spartans somehow managed to upset the #1 , #3 and #5 teams in the conference. Now, only one team stands in the way of their second title in 3 years: the Fresno State Bulldogs. The Spartans were unsuccessful in their previous venture earlier in the tournament. But this series goes way beyond this year. In 2023, the Spartans captured the Mountain West crown in Fresno. Last year, it was the Bulldogs who defeated the Spartans to capture a title in San Diego. Most SJSU fans dream of a world where they win 3 consecutive titles. That can’t happen here, but the Spartans will certainly look for revenge in this championship matchup. It’s a whole different team, but guys like Coach Sanfilippo, Lewis, and even assistant coach Dalton Bowling know all about the baggage that comes with a game like this. First pitch is slated for 12:05 pm today.
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