MAR 9 – The Spartans’ baseball team (10-5) not only came away with a win today, but also a series win against the Utah Utes (11-4). This achievement marks the first time SJSU has won a series against a Power-4 opponent since 2011. Additionally, the series win against Utah means that the Spartans’ have not lost a series so far this season.
SJSU won the first game 2-1 on account of LHP Jesse Guiterrez, who earned his third win of the season after allowing just 1 run and 3 hits through 7.1 IP. Nolan George earned the save, his second of the season. Alex Fernandes continued his hot offensive play, going 3–4 at the plate. 1B Zach Tallerman recorded a season high 10 putouts.
Utah tied up the series at 1 apiece with a 5-3 victory on Saturday. David Thomas and EJ McGrew combined for 8.1 IP, allowing just 3 earned runs on 7 hits. However, it was 2 runs scored in the top of the 9th that gave the Utes the late win. Jake McCoy and Zach Chamizo both went 2-4, with McCoy also notching 2 RBIs.
In the rubber match on Sunday, both offenses combined for 19 hits in the back-and-forth affair. Win Scott grabbed his first win of the season, allowing 3 runs on 7 hits through 5.2 innings of work. Nolan George pitched 2.1 innings of relief while Tyler Albanese notched his first save of the season. The Utes, meanwhile, went through 8 different pitchers in this game. Jake McCoy went 3-5 alongside 2 RBIs and Antonio Nanez went 2-3 and drew 2 walks. Jeriah Lewis blasted a 2-run HR, his 3rd of the season, finishing 1-3 on the day with 3 RBIs. The Spartans’ offense generated 10 hits and 7 walks, winning the final game of the series 8-5.
As of today’s result, Fernandes continues to be the Mountain West’s best batter, leading the conference in batting average (0.468) and on-base percentage (0.559). Fernandes has also reached base safely in all 15 games, as well as maintaining a 7-game hit streak. Jeriah Lewis is tied for 1st in the conference in steals (6) and walks (11). The pitching for the Spartans has been phenomenal so far, holding a 3.27 ERA as a team, which is good for best in the conference. EJ McGrew (0.56), Jesse Guiterrez (1.37), and Nolan George (2.04) are 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the conference in ERA. Guiterrez is also 1st in the conference in IP (26.1), 5th in strikeouts (22) and 1st in opposing batting average (0.179). In the same category, McGrew is 2nd (0.186) and George is 5th (0.210). Tyler Albanese also leads the MW in games finished (6).
The Spartans will host Cal Poly on Tuesday, March 11 at 5:05 pm. SJSU will play again at Santa Clara on Thursday, March 13, before heading to San Diego to begin conference play over the weekend against the Aztecs.
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